Paris Saint-Germain defender Willian Pacho has become a pivotal figure in the squad following his impressive defensive displays ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest.
French sports daily L'Équipe recently ranked the 24-year-old Ecuadorian as the top player in his position, highlighting his exceptional performance in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich, where he won seven out of eight duels and earned the man of the match award.
A club source noted his dominance in that high-stakes match, saying he effectively neutralized Bayern's attack.
Rise from Relative Obscurity
PSG signed Pacho from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024 for €45 million.
While internal staff recognized his reliability early on, wider acclaim developed more slowly, particularly after he missed a nomination for the 30-man Ballon d'Or list despite a prior European title.
Club officials recalled the initial anonymity surrounding his transfer. Many people questioned who he was when the club recruited him from Frankfurt.
Pacho, however, took it in stride, understanding that he needed to earn his place.
His former coach at Independiente del Valle, Renato Paiva, described Pacho as technically clean and highly tactically intelligent, though his quiet nature on the pitch sometimes alters how people perceive his impact.
Paiva explained that Pacho relied heavily on reading the game rather than physical confrontation, which is unusual for top defenders who often leave an impression through visible physical impacts.
Rare Setback and Resilience
Pacho experienced a rare setback during the Club World Cup against Bayern Munich, where he received a red card for a late challenge on Leon Goretzka.
A team source attributed the mistimed tackle to extreme fatigue from an extended competitive season, emphasizing that the player maintained strong psychological resilience despite the expulsion.
Joachim Vercaigne, the former recruitment director at Royal Antwerp where Pacho played from January 2022 to 2023, stated that his recent performances simply confirm his established value over the last two seasons.
The Bayern Munich match served as validation for external observers who may have underestimated him.
An internal club source indicated that a victory in the upcoming final against Arsenal would represent the ultimate validation for the player.
When external commentators labeled him the top defender globally, Pacho deflected the praise toward his teammates, such as Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes, emphasizing that his success depends entirely on the collective group.
PSG sporting director Luis Campos revealed that Pacho's humble attitude and high motivation heavily influenced the decision to recruit him.
Campos recalled an incident where Pacho flew to Madrid immediately upon hearing of the club's transfer interest, demonstrating his dedication.
After a full day of meetings, Campos finalized his decision and informed manager Luis Enrique of the player's commitment.
The Champions League final against Arsenal is scheduled for Saturday at 6:00 PM in Budapest.
