A mural located on the outskirts of Bilbao, created in honor of Athletic Club forward Nico Williams, has been vandalized for a second time. The artwork had previously been damaged and subsequently restored. The young Spanish international, who is subject to widespread speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, appears to have become the target of strong discontent among some of his club`s supporters.
The 23-year-old, a native of Pamplona, is reportedly close to leaving Athletic Club, the team where he has spent his entire professional career. This potential departure has been met with significant anger by sections of the `rojiblanco` fanbase. Some fans have loudly expressed their disapproval in recent days, including by defacing a well-known mural that also depicts his brother Iñaki Williams and club icon Iker Muniain.
During the initial act of vandalism, Nico`s face on the mural was covered to make way for the message: `It doesn`t matter if you leave or stay, you have lost our respect.` Although the mural, created by artist Carlos López in the Baracaldo suburb of Bilbao, was later fixed, it was targeted again overnight between Friday and Saturday. As reported by the newspaper Marca, this time Nico Williams` face was covered with blue paint, and the insult: `Topo di m***a` (a harsh Italian insult meaning “shit rat”) was clearly visible.
