According to a report by Football London on May 28, 2026, Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié has shared a motivational message ahead of the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, insisting that winning the competition would complete a remarkable season for the Gunners.
Arsenal are set to face PSG in Budapest on Saturday night in what will be one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the season. The Gunners head into the final buoyed by their recent Premier League triumph, which ended a 22-year wait for the English title.
Hincapié, who has enjoyed a strong campaign since joining Arsenal, revealed that he has been in contact with PSG defender Willian Pacho ahead of the showdown. The two Ecuador internationals grew up together and share a close friendship despite being on opposing sides for the final.
Speaking about the significance of the moment, Hincapié reflected on how far both players have come in their careers after developing at Independiente del Valle.
“Being in a Champions League final after winning the Premier League is something very important,” Hincapié said.
He added that both he and Pacho once dreamed of playing at the highest level in Europe, making Saturday’s clash an emotional occasion for both players.
“I’ve known Willian since we were very young. We trained a lot together at Independiente del Valle when we were kids, and dreamed about this moment,” he explained. “He already became champion, and hopefully this time it’s my turn.”
Hincapié also confirmed that he and Pacho recently spoke ahead of the final, although their conversation did not focus heavily on the match itself.
“Yes, he spoke to me. I think we talked around two weeks ago. We spoke a bit, but not about that, more about how things were going here and how everything was coming along,” he said.
Arsenal’s journey to the final has been widely praised, with the club also securing the Premier League title earlier in the season. Hincapié lifted the trophy at Selhurst Park after a 2–1 victory over Crystal Palace, marking a major milestone for the squad.
The Ecuadorian defender admitted that the achievement has been emotional for the team, especially given the club’s long wait for domestic success.
“It’s been very difficult years,” he said. “They had gone 22 years without winning a Premier League, and I think now everyone is very happy, very excited and wanting more.”