Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will star in one of the most attractive matchups in the Champions League round of 16, and there will be an Ecuadorian presence in it. Willian Pacho himself spoke about Moises Caicedo, his compatriot who will be a rival in the next 180 minutes.

In an interview with ‘L’Equipe,’ the defender of La Tri acknowledged his great friendship with the Blues midfielder: “He is my best friend. I have known him since I arrived at Independiente del Valle.”

“On the pitch, he is a monster, and off the field, he is a very nice guy,” Pacho highlighted about Moi’s footballing quality and personality.

Miguel Angel Ramirez, the manager who gave both Ecuadorians their debuts at Independiente del Valle, spoke about the great people the footballers he once coached are: “They were always together. They are very family-oriented and prefer to keep a low profile rather than seeking protagonism off the field.”

Both Willian Pacho and Moises Caicedo are pillars of the Ecuador national team; both are succeeding in Europe. However, both will be rivals again and only one will be able to play in the Champions League quarterfinals.

It is worth remembering that they faced each other in the Club World Cup final, which Chelsea won, with Moises Caicedo clarifying that Willian Pacho did not play that match due to suspension.

The Champions League clash between the PSG defender and the Chelsea midfielder is not only a high-level duel, but also a reflection of the growth of the Ecuadorian footballer abroad. Beyond who advances to the next round, the beneficiary is the Ecuador national team's coaching staff, which will have a mature squad at the 2026 World Cup with enough international experience to challenge the world powers.

Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers. 

Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favorite teams and news!