Willian Pacho, the 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender, spoke to the press on his arrival in Ecuador for matches with his national team. He spoke about his Champions League triumph and the future with ambition.
Pacho: “It’s an incredible moment.”
How do you feel today?
I’m very happy, very satisfied with what I’m experiencing right now! It’s an incredible moment. Winning the Champions League is incredible. Waking up today and realizing that it wasn’t a dream makes me very happy! Thank you all for your support and your messages. Now I need to enjoy myself and concentrate on the national team, with the aim of qualifying for the World Cup.
Best defender in Ecuador’s history, against Lecaro, Quiñónez and Hurtado?
Honestly, I don’t know (smiles). There are some great players, like Valencia too. I’ve watched him play a lot. After that, everyone can have their own opinion. I’m totally dedicated to my career. Let the people decide who is Ecuador’s best ever defender. I believe I’m part of a great generation of players, and I’m enjoying my life to the full. I hope to do great things for club and country.
Pacho “It’s very special, my mother always helps me a lot.”
How does it feel to make children dream? Who do you dedicate the victory to?
I’d like to thank everyone for their messages. It’s a responsibility to be an example from now on. I just want to keep on being who I am and keep on winning.
As for the victory, it’s for my mother (who died on the day of her first professional match). It’s very special, my mother always helps me a lot. All my strength is thanks to her and my family, who are always there.
Pacho: “We have to keep working hard and be humble in order to win even more major titles.”
What are your goals for the future?
Today, I’d like to do a lot more. With the national team, I’d like to win a title, that would be a dream. At club level, I want to carry on like this and continue to grow as a man and a player. There are always things to learn and do. We have to keep working hard and remain humble in order to win even more major titles.
What’s next for PSG?
We’re still working step by step. Today, I’m with the national team, hoping to qualify for the World Cup. We’re carrying on with confidence and a desire to win. In soccer, there are always good times and bad times. We’re making the most of the current moment.
Pacho “Coach Luis Enrique helped us a lot to be calm.”
At what point do you realize you’ve won? Where does your mental strength come from?
Honestly, mental strength comes from things you experience. It helps you to grow, to improve. It’s always important to grow as a soccer player, you start very young.
As for winning, I don’t know (laughs). I want to make the most of it with my club team-mates, my family and my national team-mates, who are very happy for me.
How did you feel before the final? Was it a magical evening?
Before the match, there’s a lot of tension as we wait for it to start. Coach Luis Enrique helped us a lot to stay calm. Luis Enrique helped us a lot to be calm, he gave us the peace of mind that we shouldn’t rush and trust the work we were doing. We have to continue like that.
Pacho “one of the keys to my adaptation has been the group, the team.”
How is your relationship with coach Luis Enrique? You’ve adapted very quickly, what’s the key?
I think one of the keys to my adaptation has been the group, the team. It’s a superb team, with great people who want to win. As for Luis Enrique, I like the way we train every day, with the competition every day, because you never know what’s going to happen next.
You always want to improve, on every point. He also gives us peace of mind, the way he talks, the enthusiasm he transmits. He also helps us to be good people. He calmly passes on his experience.
