Ecuador’s football generation has reached such a high level that, for the second consecutive season, the country will boast a Champions League winner. Last year, Willian Pacho opened that account with PSG, and now he aims to become a two-time champion, but a fellow countryman stands in his way. Piero Hincapié, who joined Arsenal at the start of this campaign, could become the second Ecuadorian to lift the European title. Both defenders are also set to feature at the World Cup.
The golden generation of Ecuadorian players has achieved more than other rising football nations like Colombia, who have not won the competition since James Rodríguez did so with Real Madrid.
Pacho’s stint at PSG has been outstanding. In the second leg of the semifinal against Bayern Munich, the center-back was named MVP. His relationship with the Champions League has been remarkably productive: he has started every possible match since his arrival in 2024. That means Pacho has not missed a single cup game for PSG, now boasting a personal record of 33 appearances and nearly 3,000 minutes under Luis Enrique.
For the Parisians, the 24-year-old defender has been a true talisman. Since his €40 million transfer, the side featuring Ousmane Dembélé and company has reached both finals, with Pacho playing every minute. This season, he has added some offensive contributions, scoring two goals and providing one assist—a stat he did not achieve in the previous edition. Overall, counting his personal numbers with PSG, Willian Pacho has now made 100 appearances in Paris, nearly double what he managed at Royal Antwerp, his first European club after transferring from Independiente del Valle.
In the Champions League, at least, his edge over Piero is clear. The Arsenal defender has not been as prominent under Mikel Arteta, though that role could grow next season. In his first English campaign, Piero has made 38 appearances, nine of which have been in the Champions League. The former Bayer Leverkusen center-back has missed five matches in the competition but has played the last three without issue, starting two. Much of his involvement in this Champions League has come as a left-back—a factor to consider.
Piero, valued at €50 million, is not yet permanently owned by the English club. Arsenal must pay €52 million by mid-2025 to trigger the mandatory purchase option established at the start of this season.
