In an interview with L’Équipe, former Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate Éric Junior Dina-Ebimbe, now with Eintracht Frankfurt, paid glowing tribute to his former teammate Willian Pacho (24). The Ecuadorian defender, who left the German club this summer, left a lasting impression thanks to his natural authority and quiet influence on the pitch.
“It’s the same Pacho I knew at Eintracht (in 2023–2024). When he’s there, he immediately brings leadership. Not through words, because he doesn’t talk much, but through what he gives off. He’s got vision, quality passing, and he can defend over 50 or 60 meters — those shoulder charges in the back… When he’s on the pitch, you know things will go well, there’s less doubt. He makes others better. And he’s someone who can play 50 matches a season with the same level of performance. In Frankfurt, our captain Robin Koch can thank him. If Koch became a German international, it’s because they formed a great duo.”
Dina-Ebimbe’s words reflect what many coaches have noticed: Pacho doesn’t need to raise his voice to lead. His authority stems from his reading of the game, reliability, and calm presence. At just 24, he already displays the composure of a seasoned defender, structuring the entire backline around him.
During his time at Frankfurt, his partnership with Robin Koch turned the defense into a solid, mobile unit — so much so that Koch’s call-up to the German national team is often credited to the chemistry they built.
Pacho embodies the new generation of elite defenders: quiet leaders, technically sound, mentally sharp, and vital to a team’s balance — the kind of player who lifts an entire collective simply by doing his job to perfection.
