LaLiga: Williams set to break consecutive appearances record
Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams stands on the brink of creating LaLiga history ahead of his side's showdown with Alavés at San Mamés.
Iñaki Williams is set to break the record for most consecutive games in LaLiga history should he feature in Athletic Bilbao's clash with Alavés on Friday.
If he plays in the showdown at San Mames, the forward will make his 203rd successive appearance in the Spanish top flight.
One of only two players to feature in over 200 consecutive LaLiga matches, Williams would surpass the long-standing record previously held by former Real Sociedad defender Juan Larrañaga, who played for Los Txuri-Urdin between 1980 and 1994.
The one-time Spain international, who joined the club from Pamplona in 2012, began his sequence when appearing as a substitute during Bilbao's 1-0 defeat by Atlético Madrid in April 2016.
He has subsequently featured in every domestic match since, helping the club achieve four top-10 finishes along the way.
Williams chalks up 300 Athletic appearances
Williams, who has scored 67 goals in 303 appearances since his senior debut in December 2014, was named LaLiga's player of the month in January 2019 during a season in which he led Bilbao in scoring after finding the net on 13 occasions.
He recently played his 300th game for Los Leones, celebrating the milestone on September 11 with a goal in a 2-0 victory over Real Mallorca.
And the 27-year-old will be eager to mark his historic day by helping Marcelino’s side end a run of three matches without victory on Friday.
Although, Alavés are full of momentum having recorded a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over reigning champions Atlético last time out.