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.
“I’ve had a ring made with his name on it,” Williams explains. “It’s sat next to my medals I have won over my career. It’s 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 wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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 wouldn’t 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.
“I’m not just playing for my grandad but it’s 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 wasn’t 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 wouldn’t be sitting where we are now or playing at the clubs they are now without their families helping out.
“I’m really grateful for what they have all done for me.”
