Inaki Williams was subbed off some 20 minutes before the final whistle on Monday night at San Mames in a goalless draw against Osasuna. This was his – brace yourself – 249th consecutive La Liga appearance for Athletic Bilbao without a single match of absence! The 28-year-old Ghanian forward thus has made history since he’s one of three unique players in the Top 5 European leagues.Iñaki Williams played in EVERY SINGLE LEAGUE GAME in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. And now he’s played in the first game of 2023 too. He’s superhuman.— Andy West (@andywest01) January 9, 2023 On December 6 2014, after profiting from Aritz Aduriz’s injury, Williams made his first-team (and La Liga) debut, starting in a 1–0 home loss against Cordoba. Inaki’s streak started in 2017, and ever since, he hasn’t missed a single top-division game more than eight years later! ##NAJAVA_MECA_6938340##However, he is only the second-best for the longest streak of consecutive league appearances because retired American keeper Brad Friedel had set the bar so high that he’s almost unbeatable.For my grandpas.For my parents.For my brother.For my friends.For my girlfriend.For my people. For GHANA.I’m already a Blackstar. 🖤🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/zSd6qapwcR— IÑAKI WILLIAMS (@Williaaams45) September 24, 2022 He is the current holder of the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances with 310, a feat he achieved during spells at Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. Until he was left out of the Tottenham team on October 7, 2012, the last Premier League games Friedel missed were Blackburn’s final two fixtures of the 2003–04 season against Tottenham and Birmingham City, on May 10 and 15, 2004, respectively.The bronze medal goes to French keeper of Congolese origins, Steve Mandanda, who is currently playing for Ligue 1 side Rennes. During his first spell at Olympique Marseille, from 2007 to 2016, he made incredible 212 consecutive Ligue 1 appearances between the posts.#FiersdetreBleus @equipedefrance pic.twitter.com/MwgMAoKiZd— Steve Mandanda (@SteveMandanda) September 2, 2021 TOP 3BRAD FRIEDEL – 310 (Premier League/Blackburn, Aston Villa, Tottenham)INAKI WILLIAMS – 249 (La Liga/Athletic Bilbao)STEVE MANDANDA – 212 (Ligue 1/Olympique Marseille)
