Pacho lays down a marker for the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Fresh off winning the European title with Paris Saint-Germain, Willian Pacho has joined up with his national team to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to the press, the 24-year-old Ecuadorian defender discussed several topics, notably the collective progress of his national team, which is ready to have a great World Cup.

Pacho: “I’m very focused on my national team”

What can you take away from a friendly match?

“Every match is different, every style of play is different, every team is different, and today they played and won. I think that’s positive for them; it strengthens their collective confidence. But I have great faith in this team. I’m very focused on my national team and my club, and I feel that we’re doing very good things and that we always believe in ourselves, which is the most important thing.”

Will the titles won with your clubs have a positive impact on the national team?

“Of course, because it gives us confidence. I think that from the moment I won the Champions League, I thought a lot about the positive impact it would have on my teammates’ confidence. This opportunity to see that great things are possible, that dreams can come true, and to see the generation we have—it’s a great team, a great family.

Every time I come here, I enjoy being with them. We always want to show our best on the pitch. We are a family and we want to give our best for our supporters.”

Pacho: “I always want to play for this team.”

How has the team evolved since the 2022 World Cup?

“I don’t know how many were there at the last World Cup, but I think we’ve gained experience, and often, defeats teach you more than victories. So that’s positive, and I think we have much more experience, more focus, and that hunger to achieve something historic for this country will always be there.

I always want to play for this team. Every time I hear my teammates speak, it fills me with joy because I see the confidence they have, and you always have to be there for them, for the group. We listen to each other, and every time I hear something positive from the group, from the team, it gives me a lot of confidence.

Pacho: “The individual always comes after”

Have you reached a higher level since the 2022 World Cup?

“We’ve improved a lot. I also learned a great deal during the last World Cup. Now I have this opportunity to play in a new World Cup and I want to make the most of it.”

How do you feel after seeing your name engraved in Paris?

“I don’t know what to say, but I’m really happy. It’s a part of the history we made, and I’m very happy about it.”

What do you still need to be named best defender?

“I mainly focus on my team, my national side. Individual accolades always come after. We win what we can win, and that’s the most important thing.”

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