Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié is preparing for the biggest match of his career, but the story emerging from Ecuador this week says plenty about why people around him never doubted he would eventually reach this level.
As the defender gets ready to face PSG in the Champions League final on May 30, Ecuadorian newspaper Diario Expreso travelled to the Escuela Refinería in Esmeraldas, where Hincapié spent his childhood.
And there is a symbolic detail running through the piece. The school uniforms at Escuela Refinería are red and white – the same colours Hincapie now wears with Arsenal while preparing for the biggest European match of his life.
The Arsenal defender who used to escape class for football
According to Diario Expreso, Escuela Refinería was originally created as social compensation linked to the impact of the local oil refinery in Esmeraldas.
Studying there was considered a privilege. The school offered private security, sports facilities and school buses collecting children from different neighbourhoods.
Among more than 500 students, Hincapié quickly stood out. Not because of academic discipline, but because of his obsession with football.
Former PE teacher Oswaldo Batallas still remembers him clearly.
“The worst punishment you could give him was leaving him out of a match.”
That line appears several times throughout the report in different forms. Football consumed everything for the young Hincapié. Teachers recall him sneaking out of classrooms and running straight to the pitch whenever he had the chance.
Batallas described him as: “Terrible, restless, always running around and bothering teammates.”
Still, the article makes clear that the energy was never viewed purely as a problem. The adults around him understood that his rebellious side came from relentless competitiveness and hunger.
Even as a child, Hincapié hated losing. He complained when teammates did not work hard enough. He wanted to score, dominate games and become the centre of attention.
That is particularly interesting because the Arsenal defender actually started his football life as a striker.
Early competitiveness still visible at Arsenal
The report explains how Hincapié and his group of friends regularly escaped to another nearby pitch where local side Esmeraldas Petrolero trained. Former Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez had also played there.
Piero Hincapié would join older players in 10-vs-10 matches and constantly pushed himself into attacking positions looking for goals.
Teachers and coaches quickly recognised his mentality. Even when he misbehaved and needed discipline, they knew his talent could decide games.
“You knew he was going to win the game for you,” Batallas admitted.
That competitive edge still feels visible inside Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side today. Hincapie has adapted quickly to the intensity and physical demands of English football, and some of that athletic profile may come from another detail highlighted in the report.
Before focusing entirely on football, Hincapié also competed in athletics. He ran 60m and 80m sprint events and stood out physically from a young age.
“Athletics is the main base for a footballer”, Batallas said.
Given Hincapié’s recovery speed, aggression in duels and ability to defend wide spaces at Arsenal, that early physical work now looks worth it.
Family support and sacrifices behind the rise
The article also focuses heavily on the people who helped him along the way.
After Batallas left the school in 2013, Hincapié continued developing under several figures, especially former goalkeeper Fausto Matamba.
According to the report, Matamba would drive him in his pickup truck to beach training sessions and continued motivating him even during financially difficult periods.
“The player who has no hunger gets nowhere,” Batallas reflected.
He also insisted perseverance and family support were decisive in Hincapié’s rise from Esmeraldas to the Champions League final.
The closing images from the report are probably the strongest of all. Batallas remembers a child running after the school bus, crying whenever he was left out of matches and demanding more effort from everyone around him.
Now that same kid is preparing to start a Champions League final for Arsenal against PSG and fellow Ecuadorian Willian Pacho.