Willian Pacho, the 23-year-old Ecuadorian defender who arrived at Paris Saint-Germain last summer from Eintracht Frankfurt, spoke to PSG TV. He talks about a number of subjects, including his arrival at PSG, the choice of number 51, the bandage worn on his left hand and the contribution of coach Luis Enrique.
Pacho: “You always have to respect people.
How did you discover soccer ?
Thanks to my older brother. He used to play with his friends, and I used to watch him play. I loved it and started playing with them. Then they gave me a ball. My first steps in soccer were in the neighborhood where I lived, and I learned a lot from that. Then I started watching the national team matches and everything else, and I never gave up soccer!
What are your values in soccer and in life ?
I’m very respectful, and that’s something my mother taught me very early on, that you always have to respect people. You also have to be kind, both on and off the pitch. I’ve always said that if you have respect for everyone, then you’ll get nothing but respect in return. It’s a family value!
How did you feel about your first cap for Ecuador ?
It was great! I’d never been selected before with the youth team. But my first selection was directly with the first team. It was incredible and I wasn’t expecting it at all, and I knew that the hardest part was about to begin, because I had to work even harder. But when I got the call, I was really happy, and I immediately called my family to tell them. Everyone shouted, they were so happy.
Pacho “because my mother left us when she was 51.”
Who were the first people you called when you signed for PSG, and what did you say ?
I called a lot of people! (smiles) I told my sister first. I already had the 2029 jersey, and I showed it to my whole family. It was an incredible moment. I told them I’d signed, and they cried with happiness. I was very happy.
Why the number 51 ?
Because at Independiente del Valle, my first team, it’s the number I wore when I played for my first club. It worked out well for me, and when I’m successful, I get a few more things, out of superstition. And also because my mother left us when she was 51. So I always wear this number.
Pacho “every time I go out to play, to feel good, I wear this bandage.”
Why the hand bandage ?
I’ve been asked a lot (laughs). When I was playing in Belgium in Antwerp, I fractured my hand and had to wear a cast for a month, in December I think. Then I was able to take it off and play again, but wearing a bandage like this one. Then I played for the national team and scored a goal against Australia. I felt good and now, every time I go out to play, to feel good, I wear this bandage.
What do you like to do off the pitch ?
I like to spend a lot of time at home, watching films, playing games, talking to the family. I don’t like to go out too much, also because it’s cold (laughs).
Pacho: “I feel very much at home in this group.
Which player are you closest to ?
I don’t know, they’re all incredible. I get on very well with everyone, and I like spending time with Achraf, Ousmane, Asensio, Lee. And I get on really well with the Portuguese! I sometimes go out with them as a group, and we have a great time together. I feel very comfortable in this group.
The Champions Trophy, 1st title with PSG: how did it feel ?
A lot of joy! There were only a few minutes left to score, the match was tense and we were very close to scoring but it didn’t come. When we scored and at the end of the match, we felt a lot of happiness because we work hard to achieve this kind of goal, to win trophies. And also, I’m the first Ecuadorian to win it! It’s something that fills me with pride and happiness. It helps to keep working hard.
You look calm and serene, don’t you ?
Yes, I think it’s part of the way I am, part of my personality. To be honest, I always feel very calm, in every sense of the word. But as soon as I’m out on the pitch, I give it my all.
Pacho “I always listen to how he talks to people. It helps me.”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in soccer, and from whom ?
There are a lot of people and a lot of advice, but one in particular stood out for me. When I was a kid, I was told that there shouldn’t be any difference between my worst training session and my best. You always have to be at the top of your game, and maintain a very high level.
It was a Spanish coach from Independiente del Valle, Miguel Angel Raminez, who was always talking to us. He influenced me a lot, and I always listened to him. That’s what he used to say to me.
What piece of advice from Luis Enrique has helped you develop the most over the last 5 months ?
More than advice, he’s given me a lot of confidence. I can feel it in the way he talks, he knows how to talk to people. He gives me a lot of confidence, because he tells us that we train well, that we play well, and that we have to stay at the top level to be for the team.
I always listen to how he talks to people. It helps me. For example, he makes us work a lot on the wrong foot, so we’re not afraid of failing. We know we can try, and he likes us to try.
