Javier Gómez Matallanas, spokesperson for the Spanish Football Federation, has highlighted Nico Williams as a role model for Lamine Yamal amid their standout performances at the ongoing European Championship in Germany.
Yamal and Williams, young wingers for Spain, have impressed throughout the tournament, contributing significantly in the team's four matches.
Yamal has provided two assists, while Williams has scored once and assisted another goal.
The two players developed a close friendship after meeting at the Spanish Federation headquarters in Las Rozas, Madrid, during Spain's friendly matches against Colombia and Brazil in March.
Matallanas praised Williams' mentorship, stating, "He's a good example to him. Lamine mirrors everything Nico does."
He described how Williams takes the initiative to ensure punctuality, saying, "Nico wakes up, gets ready, and goes to find Lamine. He knocks on the door of the Barcelona player's room and insists, 'Come on, we can't be late.'"
Since their impactful introduction as substitutes in a European Championship qualifier against Georgia last September, both Nico and Yamal have remained integral to Spain's plans under manager Luis de la Fuente.