African player in LALIGA EA SPORTS for a second consecutive SEASON
The Bilbao-born Ghanaian international has enjoyed another a stellar season,
propelling Athletic Club to Champions League football next season.
Williams is the first back-to-back winner in the history of the award and came on top
with 32% of the vote conducted among expert journalists and fans across the
continent.
Johannesburg, 25 May 2025.- Athletic Club forward and Ghanaian international Iñaki
Williams has been crowned the 2024/25 SPORTY LALIGA MVP, an award recognizing
the best African player in LALIGA EA SPORTS this season.
Williams’ win was announced this morning on Africa Day at a media event in
Johannesburg, South Africa, featuring former Cameroon international and FC
Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, Soccer Africa presenter Thomas Mlambo and a panel
of local football experts, bringing the SPORTY LALIGA MVP to African soil for the first
time ever.
The results, which combined the votes of an expert jury of 25 football journalists from
across Africa and thousands of fans living in Sub Saharan countries who cast their vote
via the online MILIGA Fan Zone, saw Bilbao-born Williams come out on top with 32%
of the vote.
He was followed by Villarreal CF and Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye (12%) in second
place, and CA Osasuna and Cameroon defender Flavien Enzo Boyomo (10%) in third
place.
After receiving the award, Williams said: “LALIGA has always had African players or
players with African heritage, and it’s a real honour to be able to represent our roots in
this way, to make us seen in a league that’s so special and has always had such a
huge following. It’s a beautiful thing for young people across Africa, a continent where
football has always been a big part of life, to be able to see their role models succeed.”
He added: “An award like this always means you're doing things right. I'm so happy
and proud that I’ve won it two years in a row… hopefully, I can make it three!”
Williams’ standout season makes him a deserving winner of the award. Athletic Club
enjoyed a historic 2024/25 LALIGA campaign, securing their first Champions League
spot in a decade. The 30-year-old played more minutes than any other player in the
squad and contributed 14 goals and assists combined, proving vital to the team’s
success.
“We currently have an excellent mix of young talent and experienced players at Athletic
Club, and we’re playing some incredible football,” said Williams. “We’ve had two great
seasons, and we’re not setting any limits for ourselves.”
Miguel Puche, Brand Director of Sporty Group, said: “Everyone at Sporty congratulates
Iñaki on his back-to-back MVP win. From established stars like him to rising talents
such as Yan Diomandé, the influence of African football is growing stronger each
season. At Sporty, we’re deeply committed to celebrating that journey, giving it the
visibility it deserves and bringing LALIGA closer to fans across the continent.”
Tresor Penku, Managing Director of LALIGA Africa, said: “We congratulate Iñaki on
retaining the SPORTY LALIGA MVP award and commend him on yet another standout
season in his illustrious career. We also extend our thanks to the journalists and the
thousands of fans across Africa who voted. This remarkable support and engagement
reflects the powerful presence and growing influence of African talent in LALIGA EA
SPORTS.”
Williams is the first repeat winner in SPORTY LALGA MVP history, having won the
2024 edition, following in the footsteps of Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze (2023) and
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou (2022)
INFO SUPPLIED.