Piero Hincapié

Early career

Hincapié began playing football at the age of seven, initially for local clubs Escuela Refinería, Emelec and Barcelona. Aged ten, the defender moved to Guayaquil with Norte América. After a spell with Deportivo Azogues, he joined Independiente del Valle in November 2016. Hincapié was promoted into their first-team in August 2019 for a Serie A match with Mushuc Runa. He was selected to start and played the full duration of a narrow home defeat. In the subsequent 2020 campaign, shortly after winning the U-20 Copa Libertadores, Hincapié made appearances off the bench against Universidad Católica and Macará.

Talleres

On 20 August 2020, Hincapié agreed a five-year contract with Primera División side Talleres; who paid $1,000,000 for 50% of his pass.

Bayer Leverkusen

In August 2021, Hincapié signed for German club Bayer Leverkusen. He made his debut on 16 August, coming into the Europa League group stage match against Ferencváros as Leverkusen won 2–1. He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September, and the games' opening goal against Celtic in a 4–0 victory in the Europa League. In the 2023–24 season, Hincapié was part of the Leverkusen team that won the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title, doing so whilst remaining undefeated throughout the entire league season.

Arsenal

On 1 September 2025, Hincapié joined Premier League club Arsenal on a season-long loan with an option to buy, initially reported as being worth £45…

Hincapié appeared for the Ecuador U15s in 2017. In 2019, Hincapié represented his country as captain at U17 level. He played seven times at the South American U-17 Championship in Peru, before featuring four times at the subsequent FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil. Hincapié was selected in the 28 player Ecuador squad for the 2021 Copa América. On 13 June 2021, Hincapié debuted for the Ecuador senior squad in a 2021 Copa América match against Colombia, playing the full match as Ecuador lost 1–0. On 14 November 2022, Hincapié was named in Ecuador's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He played 90 minutes in the group stage win against Qatar, the draw against the Netherlands, and defeat against Senegal. Hincapié was called up to the final 26-man Ecuador squad for the 2024 Copa América. On 31 May 2026, Hincapié was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On 30 June 2026, Hincapié was sent off by Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić after he was seen covering his mouth while verbally confronting Santiago Giménez, a red card-worthy offense under newly introduced FIFA rules. Ecuador lost the game 0–2 and were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup in that match.

Club

As of match played 16 August 2026

International

As of match played 30 June 2026

Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first.

Independiente del Valle

U-20 Copa Libertadores: 2020 Bayer Leverkusen

Bundesliga: 2023–24 DFB-Pokal: 2023–24 DFL-Supercup: 2024 UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2023–24 Arsenal

Premier League: 2025–26 FA Community Shield: 2026 EFL Cup runner-up: 2025–26 UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2025–26 Individual

IFFHS Men's World Youth (U20) Team: 2022 Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2024 IFFHS Men's CONMEBOL Team: 2024 Kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2024–25