Ghana and Athletic Club forward Inaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his time with the Black Stars to a close after a four-year journey that took him to three major tournaments.
The 32-year-old broke the news in an emotional Instagram post, telling fans he believes the moment has arrived to close this chapter of his career.
“I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end. 🇬🇭💖”
He said he walks away with no regrets, confident that he gave everything each time he pulled on Ghana’s colours, and described leaving the setup happy, proud, and at peace with the effort he put in.
Born in Spain to Ghanaian parents, Williams switched his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022 — a decision that opened the door to representing his family’s homeland at senior level.
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He explained that his time with the Black Stars gave him something money and matches couldn’t: a chance to reconnect with his roots and feel the full weight of pride that comes with wearing the national flag on his chest, calling it a gift far bigger than football itself.
“I leave happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt.”
“Ghana has given me much more than football. It has allowed me to come back home, feel even closer to my roots and experience the enormous pride of representing my country and wearing this flag on my chest,” he wrote.
Williams took time to thank his teammates, coaches, federation officials, and the fans who stood behind him throughout his international run. He was quick to reassure Ghanaians that stepping away from playing doesn’t mean stepping away from the team altogether — he pledged to keep cheering the Black Stars on as a supporter, no matter where life takes him. He closed his farewell simply:
“Medaase. Always Ghana. 🇬🇭💖”
Since making his Ghana debut in June 2022, Williams went on to feature at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2026 World Cup, finishing his international career with 28 caps and two goals. His retirement marks the end of a chapter that saw him become a recognisable face of the Black Stars and a powerful symbol of the bond between Ghana’s diaspora and the national team.