Nico Williams' mural in Bilbao vandalised AGAIN just hours after artist repainted tribute to Athletic Club star as Barcelona move turns toxic

With Barcelona reportedly set to trigger the release clause for Williams next week, emotions have run high in Bilbao. The original tribute, which also featured his brother Inaki Williams and long-time club figure Iker Muniain, was first vandalised last weekend. In that incident, Nico’s face was scrubbed out and a message was scrawled in Basque: “Joan edo geratu, errespetua galdu duzu”, which translates to “Whether you leave or stay, you have lost respect.”

Artist Carlos Lopez, who created the original mural, had swiftly stepped in to repair the damage. However, his efforts were short-lived, as just days later, the artwork was once again targeted. This time, Williams' face was covered in black spray paint and accompanied by the phrase “rata de mierda”, a crude insult in Spanish translating to “rat of s***.”

The friction between Athletic and Barcelona has grown significantly in recent years. Barcelona’s attempt to sign Williams has also met resistance from the club's hierarchy. Officials at the Basque side have questioned the legality of the transfer under La Liga’s financial regulations, particularly the "1:1" spending rule. They argue that Barcelona are in violation of these rules and have threatened to formally challenge the deal. Adding fuel to the fire, La Liga president Javier Tebas has echoed Athletic’s concerns, suggesting that Barcelona may not be compliant with financial fair play restrictions. Barcelona president Joan Laporta, however, dismissed those claims, issuing a defiant response on Friday and insisting that the club will proceed as planned.

As Williams prepares to take the next step in his career, his legacy at Athletic Club faces a complicated reckoning. The recent acts of mural vandalism reflect a deep sense of betrayal felt by a section of the club’s supporters, who view his likely departure as a violation of trust.