Spain’s preparations for the upcoming Finalissima against Argentina have been dealt a blow with an injury to key midfielder Nico Williams. The Athletic Bilbao winger will be sidelined for an undetermined period while undergoing treatment for pubalgia, potentially jeopardizing his availability for the March 27th clash against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
The injury to Williams adds to a growing list of concerns for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente as he prepares his squad for the prestigious match. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has reportedly already begun devising strategies to limit the influence of Spain’s young star, Lamine Yamal, indicating the high stakes of the encounter.
Williams, 23, already missed last Sunday’s match against Real Oviedo and will now begin a recovery process, the timeline of which remains uncertain. Athletic Club released a statement confirming the injury and treatment plan, noting that his return to action will depend on his progress.
“The footballer has begun treatment with an external specialist to treat his pubalgia, with specific work that, pending his progress, will cause him to be unavailable for upcoming matches,” the club stated.
Williams’ absence represents a significant loss for Spain, as he is considered one of their most dangerous dribblers in one-on-one situations. Finding a direct replacement for his skillset within the current squad will prove challenging for de la Fuente.
The timing of the injury is particularly concerning, as it comes less than two months before the Finalissima. No official recovery timeline has been issued, but Spanish outlet Marca reports that Williams could be sidelined for at least four weeks, casting doubt on his participation in the match.
Williams is not the only player currently facing injury concerns ahead of the Finalissima. Spain are also monitoring the fitness of Mikel Merino, who underwent surgery on February 9th for a fractured right foot and is expected to be out for around four months, ruling him out of both the Finalissima and potentially the 2026 World Cup. Samu Omorodion is also sidelined with a severe knee injury.
Other players currently managing physical issues include goalkeeper Unai Simon, defenders Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, and Marc Cucurella, as well as midfielders Rodri Hernandez, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Olmo. Their availability for the Finalissima will depend on their recovery progress in the coming weeks.
The Finalissima, a contest between the champions of Europe and South America, is seen as a key warm-up for both Spain and Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The match is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 27th, and will pit Yamal against Messi in what promises to be a captivating encounter.
