Willian Pacho pays tribute to his mother in revealing letter

Ecuadorian footballer Willian Pacho has shared a deeply personal tribute to his mother, who passed away in 2019, in a moving letter published by The Players' Tribune. The piece offers an intimate look at his rise in international football and how he navigated the grief of losing her while his name began to gain recognition.

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Mom, this is for you.

Pacho fondly remembers his mother's warmth and her love for dancing bachata in their living room, a ritual that often followed her long workdays. He recalls his childhood desire to join her in dance, a pursuit that took him months to master. "One, two, three, one, two, three. I never looked at her face. Just the feet. Trying to follow the rhythm," he wrote, eventually earning her praise: "There it is, Willian! That’s it! Very good!"

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One, two, three, one, two, three. Her warmth. The warmth of our home… That’s what I think of every time I want to go back to my house, even if it's in my dreams.

His mother's influence extended beyond dance; she was a constant source of support for his aspirations, even when football seemed like a distant dream. Pacho initially harbored ambitions of becoming a sailor, drawn to the crisp uniforms. However, when encouraged to join a local football club, his mother, while perhaps viewing it as a mere pastime, always backed him. She worked diligently, running a snack bar at his sister's school and doing laundry for neighbors to make ends meet.

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There it is, Willian! That’s it! Very good!

Pacho describes his mother as a kind and beloved woman who managed their small farm behind their house. "She was a charming woman, pure kindness always. Everyone loved her," he wrote. He reflects on the sacrifices she made, including feeding their pigs with leftovers, and how she provided for the family through various means. The letter serves as a powerful testament to her enduring impact on his life and career.

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I had no idea what a “footballer” was. I just played.