Willian Pacho: Gold Soccer Awards Best Second Centre-Back of 2026

Willian Pacho is Gold Soccer Awards' Best Second Centre-Back of 2026, recognised for his outstanding performances for Paris Saint-Germain.

Powerful, composed and exceptionally quick across the ground, the Ecuadorian has established himself as one of Europe's elite defenders.

During the 2025/26 season, Pacho was a key figure in PSG's defence, making 43 appearances in all competitions and helping the club secure another Champions League triumph. His reading of the game, strength in one-on-one situations and remarkable consistency make him an ideal partner in any defensive pairing. His performances at club level underline his growing reputation as a world-class centre-back.

The finalists

Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães enjoyed another influential season, combining physical dominance with leadership in the heart of the defence. Manchester City's Marc Guéhi also impressed, bringing composure, anticipation and excellent distribution to his defensive work. Both are outstanding defenders, but Pacho takes the award.

Three exceptional players, but Pacho takes the crown.

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Gold Soccer Awards recognises footballing excellence independently, without influence from publicity, popularity or hype.