Willian Pacho: PSG’s Newest Defensive Dynamo
Name: Willian Joel Pacho Tenorio
Date of Birth: October 16 2001
Place of Birth: Quinindé, Ecuador
Country: Ecuador (18 caps)
Willian Pacho’s rapid rise from the streets of Ecuador to the bright lights of Paris is a testament to his immense talent and dedication. In just a few short years, the Ecuadorian defender has become one of the most promising footballers in Europe, attracting the attention of clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal in 2024. However, it was French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) who won the race to sign him, securing his services as they build a younger, dynamic squad for the future.
Rise to Prominence
Pacho’s footballing journey began with Independiente del Valle, a club renowned for producing top Ecuadorian talents such as Cristian Ramírez, Jefferson Montero, and the emerging star, Kendry Páez. This academy is famous for grooming players who go on to shine in Europe, and Pacho is no exception.
He was part of the club’s successful 2020 U-20 Copa Libertadores campaign, playing alongside fellow Ecuadorian stars Piero Hincapié and Moises Caicedo. His senior debut came later that year as a raw 19-year-old, but it wasn’t long before his talent became evident. Over the next few years, Pacho established himself as a key player in the squad, helping Independiente del Valle lift the Ecuadorian Serie A title for the first time in the club’s history.
In 2022, Pacho made his first move to Europe, signing for Belgian side Royal Antwerp in January. Under manager Brian Priske briefly, and later Mark van Bommel, Pacho quickly adapted to European football. His partnership with veteran Toby Alderweireld was instrumental in the club’s success, and he made 50 appearances during the 2022/23 season.
The Ecuadorian centre-back played a key role in Antwerp’s historic Belgian league title win; their first in 66 years. His performances caught the attention of several European scouts and by the end of the season, bigger clubs were lining up to sign him.
It did not take long before the eyes of the Bundesliga were on him. Eintracht Frankfurt swooped in for the highly talented centre back as he accepted the challenge of playing at the level of one of Europe’s best leagues.
Success with Frankfurt
Pacho’s next challenge came in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, a move that marked his entry into one of Europe’s top leagues. His physicality, standing at 6’2″, combined with his intelligence and aerial dominance, made him a key figure in Frankfurt’s defensive line under Dino Toppmöller. His ability to play out from the back, breaking lines with precise passes, added an extra dimension to Frankfurt’s attacking play.
In his only season at Frankfurt, the team finished 6th in the Bundesliga and gained valuable experience in the UEFA Conference League. Pacho’s impressive defensive statistics — tackles, aerial duels won, interceptions, and recoveries—placed him in the top 6-8% of centre-backs in the league during the 2023/24 season.
Photo: FotMob
Despite his short time in Germany, it was clear that Pacho had already outgrown the club. In the summer of 2024, some of Europe’s elite clubs began to circle for his signature. At one point, he looked Premier League-bound as clubs such as Liverpool looked for a top young centre-back.
A New Chapter in Paris
The summer of 2024 marked another pivotal moment in Pacho’s career, as he signed for Paris Saint-Germain. With PSG looking to rebuild in a post-Kylian Mbappé era, the Ecuadorian defender was brought in as part of a new-look squad under Luis Enrique. His ability to play both as a centre-back and as a left-back in a 4-3-3 formation has given PSG added versatility and defensive depth, particularly with the ACL injury to Lucas Hernández.
Pacho has formed a strong partnership with Lucas Beraldo, giving Enrique flexibility in his defensive set-up. This versatility will be crucial when Hernández returns from his ACL injury later in the season. He reached another milestone in his burgeoning career on 18 September, making his Champions League debut for PSG in a 1-0 victory against Girona.
Reflecting on his achievement, Pacho said: “I’m very happy. It’s a dream come true for me. This day is very important because ever since I was little, I dreamed of playing in the Champions League, and now I’ve achieved that. I’m here to help the team and ready to give my all.”
Despite a shaky moment towards the end of the Girona game, Pacho played out a solid defence shift to build on an impressive start to his career in Paris. Early indications suggest that he is set to become a crucial figure in the French champions’ ambitions for domestic and European success.
At just 22 years old, Pacho is already regarded as one of the top emerging defenders in European football. As he continues to develop at one of Europe’s top clubs, Pacho is also set to become a cornerstone of Ecuador’s national team in major tournaments ahead. La Tri currently sit 4th in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, above the likes of Brazil and Chile.
Willian Pacho’s fast track to success is a remarkable story of talent, dedication, and ambition from the streets of Quinindé. As he grows with more experience at the top level, he has all the makings to become a leading centre-back in world football.
By: Abdullah Mamaniyat / @mxmnyt
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Aurelien Meunier – PSG