For him, for them - Williams family inspiration

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Neco Williams: Wales defender more confident than ever

2026 World Cup qualifying: Wales v Kazakhstan

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Saturday, 22 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app, plus S4C via iPlayer. Text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Sport Extra.

When you play international football, you do more than represent your country. You carry the memory of those who wore the shirt before you, as well as the dreams of millions – and of those you love most dearly.

When Neco Williams plays for Wales, he plays for his family.

As a child in Liverpools youth ranks, Williams was driven to training from his home in north Wales by his parents and grandfather.

Without them, the 23-year-old would not be the accomplished Premier League full-back he is today, riding high with Nottingham Forest as they chase a Champions League place.

Williams is also a shining light for Wales, already with 44 caps to his name five years into an international career that arguably peaked when he helped his country qualify for their first World Cup in 64 years.

But just a day before Wales opening game in Qatar in November 2022, Williams was told his grandfather, Kelvin Jones, had died.

"My grandad played a big part in my football career. He passed away a day before the game. It was probably one of the toughest moments I have had in football," Williams says.

"I had just lost someone really close to me, who helped me a lot with my football. He used to take me training a lot and come to lots of games. He used to give me lots of advice.

"Then, the day after, I had one of the biggest games of my career. It was obviously a tough time. But if he had still been there, he would have said to me, youre playing. Regardless of whats happened, youre playing. So thats what I had to do."

Neco Williams has had a tattoo and ring made in tribute to his late grandfather

Williams was in tears after the game as he pointed to the sky in tribute to his grandfather, who would have been proud of his performance in the 1-1 draw against the United States.

To honour that moment, the full-back had the date of the game added to an existing tattoo on his hand that reads blessed, and he has since added another tribute.

"Ive had a ring made with his name on it," Williams explains. "Its sat next to my medals I have won over my career. Its always a little reminder to myself when I go home to see the achievements that I have done in my career with my medals and trophies.

"He wasnt just my grandad, he played a huge part. He used to take turns with my mum and dad to take me to training four times a week. It wasnt just down the road either - it was to Liverpool so it was an hour there and another hour back.

"They all made the sacrifices and I wouldnt be sitting here without them."

Time is meant to ease grief, but it can also cause a different sort of pain. The longer you are without somebody you loved, the larger the part of your life is that you have spent without them.

As your life continues, their presence slips further away.

How dearly Williams wishes his grandfather could be with him when Wales begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Nothing is quite the same when that person is gone but, as Williams has shown, you can carry a part of them with you – and remember them.

"Im not just playing for my grandad but its for my family as well," Williams says. "They have made so many sacrifices to achieve my dream. Essentially, everything I do is for them.

"It wasnt just me who had to sacrifice. As a young lad, I moved away, went into digs and had limited time seeing my friends back at home. It goes unnoticed a lot of how much players families have had to sacrifice too.

"They play huge parts in players careers because I can guarantee most of our squad wouldnt be sitting where we are now or playing at the clubs they are now without their families helping out.

"Im really grateful for what they have all done for me."