Nico Williams converts his World Cup medal into a tribute to his parents' migrant history

Among the images left by Spain's second star, few concentrated as much history as that of Nico Williams placing his World Champion medal around his mother's neck. The winger approached the stands after the final against Argentina and handed the gold to María Comfort Arthuer, who was following the celebration alongside Félix Williams.

The scene took place a few minutes after Nico decisively participated in the title-winning goal. His header allowed Ferran Torres to score during extra time and resolve a final that returned Spain to the top sixteen years after South Africa.

With the Cup already in the hands of the players, Nico looked for his family. María received the medal visibly emotional and placed it on herself while her son remained by her side. The sporting recognition thus ended up around the neck of the one who in 1994 undertook a journey of more than 5,000 kilometers to reach Spain.

An image of the Spain that Bolaños vindicates

The Minister of Justice, Félix Bolaños, shared the video of the moment this Monday and related the gesture to the history of the Williams family. "The Spain we want is this, a world champion handing his medal to his mother, who left Ghana in 1994, crossed the Sahara and arrived in our country in search of a better life," he wrote.

Bolaños added that "Spain is so great because we all make it great" before congratulating the new world champions.

The message brought back a story known for years, although the image from MetLife Stadium gave it a new dimension. María and Félix saw one of their sons reach the pinnacle of football with Spain, while the elder, Iñaki, played in this same World Cup with the Ghana national team.

More than 5,000 kilometers to Melilla

Félix Williams and María Comfort Arthuer left Akim Oda, in Ghana, during the first half of the nineties. They were looking for a future in Europe and undertook a route that took them through Burkina Faso, Niger, Algeria, and Morocco before reaching the Melilla border.

A good part of the journey was on foot. They crossed the Sahara with scarcity of water and food and spent several days in vehicles with dozens of people. María later recounted that during that journey she held in her arms a woman who died on the way.

When she was attended to in Melilla, she discovered that she was three months pregnant with Iñaki. The couple received help from Cáritas and was later transferred to Bilbao, where a priest named Iñaki Mardones helped them find accommodation and start a new life.

Their first son was born in Basurto hospital and was named after the religious man who had accompanied the family. In time, they moved to Navarra, where María worked cleaning Noáin airport, in a supermarket, and in a pizza chain. Félix went through a chicken slaughterhouse before leaving for the United Kingdom to continue sending money home.

Nico was born in Pamplona in 2002, eight years after his brother. Both grew up between Navarra and Bilbao and ended up sharing a locker room at Athletic Club, although they chose different national teams for their international careers.

Iñaki's message to his brother

Iñaki Williams also reacted this Monday to the title and Nico's gesture with his mother. The Athletic captain published a message in which he placed the victory beyond the sporting result.

"You have made millions of immigrants like our parents proud that their future children may one day live what you have lived," he wrote. He also thanked that millions of Spaniards could empathize with a story that many families who arrived in the country in search of an opportunity share.

Iñaki recalled that his parents' journey represents those who leave their home behind to offer a different future to their children. "This story is not just ours, it is that of all the people who leave everything behind for a better future," he pointed out. The elder Williams closed his publication with a direct congratulation. "You have put our surname into infinity. I admire you. I love you. World champion," he wrote.

Nico responded from Madrid, where this Monday he participated in the National Team's receptions and celebrations. His reply was much briefer: "I love you".