Fresh from winning the European Championship with Paris Saint-Germain, Willian Pacho has joined his national team to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to the press, the 24-year-old Ecuadorian defender addressed several points, including the collective progress of his national team, ready to have a great World Cup.
Pacho: “I’m very focused on my national team.”
What can you analyze from a friendly match?
“Every match is different, every style of play is different, every team is different, and today they played and won. I think that’s positive for them; it strengthens their collective confidence, but I have great confidence in this team. I’m very focused on my national team and my club, and I feel that we’re doing very good things and that we still have confidence in ourselves, which is the most important thing.”
Will the titles won with your clubs have a positive impact on the national team?
“Of course, it gives us confidence.” I think that from the moment I won the Champions League, I thought a lot about the positive impact it would have on my teammates’ confidence. This opportunity to see that great things are possible, that dreams can come true, and to see this generation we have—it’s a great team, a great family.
Every time I come here, I enjoy being with them. We always want to show our best on the pitch. We are a family, and we want to give our best for our fans.
Pacho: “I always want to play for this team.”
How has the team evolved since the 2022 World Cup?
“I don’t know how many players were there at the last World Cup, but I think we’ve gained experience, and often, defeats are more instructive than victories. So that’s positive, and I think we have a lot more experience, more focus, and that thirst to achieve something historic for this country will always remain.
I always want to play for this team.” Every time I hear my teammates speak, it fills me with joy because I see the confidence they have, and you always have to be there for them, for the group. We listen to each other, and every time I hear something positive from the group, from the team, it gives me a lot of confidence.
Pacho: “The individual always comes second.”
Have you reached a higher level since the 2022 World Cup?
“We’ve improved a lot. I also learned a lot during the last World Cup. Now, I have this opportunity to play in another World Cup, and I want to make the most of it.”
How do you feel after seeing your name engraved in Paris?
“I don’t know what to say, but I’m really happy. It’s a part of history that we’ve made, and I’m very happy about it.”
What do you need to be named best defender?
“I’m mainly focused on my team, my national team.” Individual success always comes second. We win what we can win, and that’s what matters most.
