Pacho opens up on his move to PSG and Luis Enrique

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·11 August 2026

Pacho opens up on his move to PSG and Luis Enrique

Willian Pacho, the 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Ecuador defender, spoke at great length in The Players Tribune. The full piece can be found here, including a very powerful account of his childhood, his career, and his mother’s death at the start of his professional life. The player also spoke about his arrival at PSG in 2024 and highlighted coach Luis Enrique’s impact on his journey.

Pacho “like in the movies.”

“After a good season, my agent told me PSG wanted to meet me. When you hear ‘PSG,’ you don’t even think anymore. You grab your phone and immediately look for a flight. So let’s see, Ryanair, what time is the next departure? Let’s go. Vamos!” Luis Campos invited me to a secret dinner in Madrid, in an underground restaurant, like in the movies. After five minutes, he told me: ‘Wait, someone wants to talk to you.’ And then he put Luis Enrique on FaceTime with me. It was incredible.”

The Ecuadorian was at Eintracht Frankfurt, a very good club, but PSG was the step above. Especially with the chance to play in the Champions League. The defender did not hesitate to give his approval. That kind of enthusiasm is appreciated, and it also matters in Luis Campos’ decisions. He used his famous method of having an informal moment with the player.

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This time, it was in a restaurant away from prying eyes, which also explains why the rumors surfaced so late. Luis Enrique’s call was no doubt a good sign and may have reassured Pacho in his choice. In any case, he now emphasizes how the Spaniard helped him move forward.

Pacho “he is exactly the kind of coach I needed.”

Luis Enrique has something special. An aura, I guess. For me, he is the key to everything PSG have achieved. And I say that as a man, not just as a footballer. He doesn’t talk much, but when he does, you feel that he understands you as a person. For me, with everything I had been through, he is exactly the kind of coach I needed. When I arrived, he told me: ‘Go at your own pace. Don’t think you have to prove anything just because we signed you. You still have time to develop.’ By giving me time, he freed me from all pressure. And because he gave me that time, I exploded.

“I never imagined receiving so much love”

I never imagined becoming a starter so quickly. I never imagined winning two Champions Leagues in two consecutive seasons. I never imagined receiving so much love and affection from the supporters. We went from: ‘Number 51? Who is number 51?’ to ‘Pacho! Pacho! Pacho!’”

It is harder to see from the outside than Luis Enrique’s tactical choices, but there are plenty of signs of this very special personality. The players often point it out, and there have also been statements made to the media. Some people have remembered a few barbs, it must be said, because the Spanish coach knows how to push back against the press.

But he is also very capable of getting important messages across. Whether in press conferences, in the dressing room, or in his discussions with the players. The latter have often highlighted the coach’s humanity. An essential point in making the difference. And it can clearly be seen on the pitch, especially in the collective energy and composure PSG have shown since his arrival.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.