“It’s time to give back to my country”

Pervis Estupiñán joins Common Goal ahead of the biggest game of his life

Less than two days out from lacing up for the inaugural World Cup match and his tournament debut, when most players are fully focused on getting three points, Ecuador and Brighton and Hove Albion left-back Pervis Estupiñan is using the moment to flip the script and show how footballers can help support the communities rooting for them.

Pervis is joining the Common Goal movement and pledging 1% to Fundación de las Américas para el Desarrollo (FUDELA) to help create opportunities and open doors for young people in Ecuador.

The move comes one week after fellow Premier League player Sergi Canós took the 1% pledge to support the communities that he’s called home over the years and makes him the first Ecuadorian to join the team.

Now Pervis won’t only inspire Ecuador’s next generation through his rock-solid defence on the world's biggest stage but he’ll help ensure those watching him have pathways to achieve their dreams.

“If you had told Pervis as a child, when he was playing football in the streets of Esmeraldas in Ecuador, that one day he would fulfil so many dreams... he wouldn't have believed it,” said Pervis.

“First, to be a professional in Ecuador. Then, to play in the Spanish LaLiga. Later, to play in the English Premier League... And now, to help my country in a World Cup.

“Now it's time to give back to my country everything it has given me.

“I am proud to become the first Ecuadorian to join Common Goal. But I would like there to be many more. If you are a player, a club or a sports federation, I invite you to join the best team in the world. Join Common Goal.”

Pervis and FUDELA’s work will start in the 24-year-old's hometown Esmeraldas, a coastal city in the northwest of the country. The two will help foster safe spaces for crime prevention, social inclusion, and promote healthy lifestyles through training activities for young people.

Additionally, with Pervis’ 1% pledge, the football for good organisation will help Esmeraldas’ next generation strengthen their skills, values, and abilities to increase their educational and employment opportunities.

Juan Mata, 2010 World Cup winner and a Common Goal member, congratulated Pervis on using the spotlight to support others and encouraged the football world to follow the defender's lead.

“It’s inspiring to see a young player like Pervis using his first World Cup match to shine a light on what football can and should be: a force for good,” said Juan.

“If we all work together, we can help children and young people from communities all over the world to reach their goals, using football as the tool.

“If you are a player, club, or any other football stakeholder who wants to take tangible action to help foster positive change in the big themes we all face as humanity, such as racial justice, gender equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, or climate action, join us at Common Goal.

“Together we can allow football to achieve its maximum potential both within and through the game. Together we can change the world.”