Athletic Bilbao captain Inaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his four-year spell with Ghana’s Black Stars.

The 32-year-old forward made the announcement on social media on Friday, September 11, 2026, saying he believes the time has come to step away from international duty.

“I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end,” Williams wrote.

He added that he leaves the national team “happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt.”

Williams switched his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022, following a lengthy process to represent the country of his parents.

He went on to make 28 appearances for Ghana, scoring twice — against Madagascar and the Central African Republic.

The forward featured at three major tournaments during his international career, representing Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His final appearance for the Black Stars came in Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup in July.

Williams said representing Ghana had given him more than a footballing experience, describing his time with the national team as an opportunity to reconnect with his roots.

“Ghana has given me much more than football,” he said. “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.”

The decision is understood to be motivated partly by a desire to manage his workload and prolong his club career at Athletic Bilbao, where he serves as captain.

Williams, who was born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents, has established himself as an important figure at the Spanish club and now intends to focus more fully on his club responsibilities.

His international retirement also comes as his younger brother, Nico Williams, continues to make his mark with Spain, having recently won the World Cup with La Roja.

Despite ending his international career, Inaki Williams said his connection with Ghana will remain.

“Ghana will always be a part of me,” he said, promising to continue supporting the Black Stars from afar.

“Medaase. Always Ghana.”