Inaki Williams Dedicates Match Winner to Grandfather Who Inspired Him to Play for Ghana

• Inaki Williams has scored his debut goal for Ghana
• The striker dedicated the goal to his grandfather
• The Black Stars defeated Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has dedicated his first Black Stars goal to his 91-year-old grandfather, who convinced him to play for Ghana.

Williams switched nationalities in 2022 to represent the country of his parents despite making a few appearances for Spain, where he was born.

The 29-year-old scored his debut Ghana goal as the Black Stars defeated Madagascar to get off to a winning start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

"When I came here, everybody said to me, thank you and 'Akwaaba,' and I am very, very happy because my grandpa told me Ghanaians need me, and I came to do everything. This performance is beautiful for me because my family was in the stadium, which is dedicated to him," he said in the post-match presser.

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Williams has been a regular since deciding to represent Ghana, making his debut against Brazil in September 2022, and was part of the team at the World Cup in Qatar.

He will travel with the team to Moroni for the second game of Group I on Tuesday, as reported by Ghana Soccernet.

Inaki Williams powers Ghana to victory

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Inaki Williams' debut goal for the Black Stars clinched Ghana a hard-fought victory against Madagascar to get off to a winning start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Athletic Club forward rose high to head home from a lovely cross from Gideon Mensah in the final minute of the game in Kumasi.

The visitors started the better of the two sides, getting two corner kicks in the first five minutes, but failed to take advantage of the set pieces.

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Inaki Williams opens up on grandfather's promise

Sports Brief also reported that Inaki Williams disclosed his 90-year-old grandfather promised he would die in peace the day he saw him wearing the Black Stars jersey and playing for Ghana.

The Athletic Bilbao forward decided to play for Ghana in June after switching allegiance from Spain, having made one senior cap for the European country.

Inaki made his Ghana debut in the friendly against Brazil before following that up with another appearance against Nicaragua.