Piero Hincapie (Esmeraldas, 2002) remains faithful to the motto of ‘San Miguel’: “Wherever he goes, he triumphs”.
He Ecuadorian international has become a kind of talisman. First for Xabi Alonso and now stop Mikel Arteta. Hincapie, signed in 2021 from Workshops in exchange for 6.35 million euroshelped ‘banish’ the myth of ‘Neverkusen’.
With the Ecuadorian as a defensive pillar – whether as lateral/central/lane- he Bayer Leverkusen conquered the first and only Bundesliga that he has won in his 121 years of history in 2023-24.
That same season, he doublet. He Leverkusen He also raised the German Cup 31 years! after. In fact, it touched the triplet: lost the final of the Europa League against the Atalanta (3-0). was compensated defeating al Stuttgartby penalties, in the SGerman Super Cup just three months later.
Having just landed in London, he has also put an end to the curse of Arsenal, which accumulated 22 years! without winning the Premier League. “They have been difficult yearsbut in the club everyone is very happy and excited, wanting more”emphasizes Hincapie, who on Saturday will look for ‘dethrone’ al Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Champions.
They have been difficult years, but everyone at the club is very happy and excited, wanting more.
“I am a newcomer. “There are players who have been fighting for many years and I suppose it is a relief for everyone to face the Champions League final as Premier League champions.”insists.
Chosen ‘Player of the Month’ in April, he shuns, of course, the fame of ‘amulet’ that he has earned: “I don’t want to get into that, I don’t know if I’m lucky or not. I always try to give my best on the field. “In the minutes I had to play, I think I did my best.”
Despite the competition with Riccardo Calafiori y con Myles Lewis-Skelly in it left backHincapie has had a capital role with Arteta, as with Xabi: he has played 40 games, 31 of them as a starterin which, in addition to closing his lane, he has contributed in attack: adds a goal and two assists.
Assigned with obligation to purchase, the Arsenal will pay 52 million euros this summer to Bayer Leverkusen for his particular talisman. You know: if you want to win… sign Hincapie.
