Full Name: Piero Martín Hincapié Reyna
Date of Birth: January 9, 2002
Place of Birth: Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Age: 23 (as of 2025)
Nationality: Ecuadorian
Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position: Centre-back / Left-back
Current Club: Arsenal
National Team: Ecuador
Early Life & Youth Career
Piero Hincapié was born in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, a region known for producing top football talent. From a young age, he showed strong defensive qualities and composure on the ball. He began his football journey with Norte América, a local club, before moving to Independiente del Valle, one of Ecuador’s most respected academies.
At Independiente del Valle, Hincapié polished his defensive skills, earning recognition as one of the brightest young defenders in South America. His versatility—being able to play both as a centre-back and left-back—made him stand out among his peers.
Professional Career:
Independiente del Valle (2016–2020)
Rose through the youth ranks and made his professional debut in Ecuador. Gained attention for his maturity despite his young age.
Talleres de Córdoba (2020–2021)
In 2020, Hincapié moved to Argentina’s Talleres, where he quickly adapted to the more competitive league. His strong performances in Argentina brought him into the spotlight of European scouts.
Bayer Leverkusen (2021–2025)
Signed by Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in August 2021. Established himself as a regular starter, praised for his composure, anticipation, and ability to play out from the back. Key part of Leverkusen’s defense under Xabi Alonso, helping the club achieve historic success, including winning the 2023/24 Bundesliga title unbeaten.
International Career
Made his Ecuador national team debut in June 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Brazil. Represented Ecuador at Copa América 2021, where he played impressively as a teenager. Featured in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, starting all group matches for Ecuador. By 2025, he is regarded as the defensive leader of Ecuador’s new generation.
Style of Play
Positioning & Reading: Excellent anticipation and awareness, rarely caught out of position. Ball-Playing Ability: Comfortable playing from the back, fitting into possession-based systems. Versatility: Can play centrally or as a left-back. Strengths: Tackling, composure under pressure, aerial duels, and progressive passing.
Personal Life
Hincapié is known for his humility and discipline off the pitch. Coming from a humble background in Esmeraldas, he often credits his family for supporting his football journey. Despite his rapid rise, he has remained grounded and focused on continuous improvement.
