The following individuals are considered by Pantheon as the top 10 legendary soccer players of all time from Ecuador. This list of famous Ecuadorian soccer players is arranged according to the Historical Popularity Index (HPI), a metric that synthesizes information about the online popularity of biographies. Let’s learn about the top 10 Ecuador best soccer player of all time with bestsoccertips through the following article!
Who is the best player in Ecuador?
1. Alberto Spencer
Alberto Pedro Spencer Herrera, born on December 6, 1937, was an Ecuadorian soccer player who played as a forward and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Ecuadorian soccer players of all time. He was nicknamed “Cabeza Mágica” (which means “Magical Head” in Spanish).
He is famous for holding the record for the most goals scored in the Copa Libertadores, a record that still stands today. He represented Ecuador 11 times and scored 4 goals during his international career. Alberto Spencer also made 5 appearances for the Uruguay national team and scored 1 goal. He passed away due to a heart attack on November 3, 2006, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
2. Antonio Valencia
Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera is a retired professional soccer player from Ecuador, primarily playing as a right-wing midfielder throughout his career. He is considered one of Ecuador’s top players in history. He played for several top teams including El Nacional, Manchester United, and Wigan Athletic.
Initially, he played as a right-wing midfielder before transitioning to right-back and becoming one of the best right-backs in the English Premier League. He represented the Ecuador national team 99 times and scored 11 goals. He also won several titles in his career, including the top English tournament, and earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year in his debut season.
3. Enner Valencia
Enner Remberto Valencia Lastra is a professional soccer player from Ecuador, playing as a forward for the Turkish club Fenerbahce, and he is the current captain of the Ecuador national team. He has the ability to play on both wings and his primary positions are center-forward or second striker.
Valencia has over 70 caps for Ecuador since his debut in 2012. He represented his country at the FIFA World Cup 2014 and will represent them once again at the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He has also represented them in the Copa America in the years 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021. Enner Valencia is the all-time leading goal scorer for his country with 35 goals.
4. Felipe Caicedo
Felipe Salvador Caicedo Corozo, born on September 5, 1988, is a soccer player from Ecuador who plays as a forward for the Saudi Arabian club Abha. He played extensively for the Ecuador national team from 2005 to 2017 and represented Ecuador at the Copa America in 2007 and 2011, as well as at the 2014 World Cup.
He is known for his ability to score goals from difficult angles and can play in various forward positions. He is also the sixth highest goal scorer of all time for Ecuador with 22 goals in 68 appearances. Felipe Caicedo has played for some of the world’s biggest clubs including Manchester City, Basel, and Inter Milan. He announced his retirement from international football in 2017.
5. Agustin Delgado
Agustin Javier Delgado Chala is a retired soccer player from Ecuador who played as a forward. He was formerly the all-time leading goal scorer for the Ecuador national team with 31 goals in 71 matches. He played professional club football in Ecuador, Mexico, and England.
He was nicknamed “Tin” during his time as a player due to his playing style. Agustin Delgado is currently the second highest goal scorer of all time after this record was broken by Enner Valencia. He has played in top leagues around the world including the Premier League with Southampton.
6. Ivan Hurtado
Ivan Jacinto Hurtado Angulo is a former professional soccer player from Ecuador who played as a center-back for several clubs and the Ecuador national team. He earned a total of 168 international caps for Ecuador from 1992 to 2014, making him the most capped player for his country.
He is also the most capped male player from South America and the 15th most capped player of all time in international football history. His experience and professionalism always made him a reliable option for all national team managers to call upon.
7. Alex Aguinaga
Alex Dario Aguinaga Garzon is a former professional soccer player and coach from Ecuador. As a midfielder in his playing career, he is one of the most capped players for Ecuador of all time with 109 appearances, scoring 23 goals. Aguinaga is known as one of Ecuador’s greatest players of all time.
He is famous for assisting Ivan Kaviedes’ goal that helped Ecuador qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2002. He also served as the captain of the Ecuador national team for many years. Alex Aguinaga has also worked as a coach for several clubs both domestically and abroad.
8. Edison Mendez
Edison Vicente Mendez Mendez is a soccer coach from Ecuador and a former player who played as a winger or attacking midfielder. He is known for his speed, accurate passing, and long-range shooting. He is also known as a set-piece specialist.
He often took free kicks and corners for his country and club. Edison Mendez is right-footed but can play on both wings as well as in the center in attack. He is the second most capped player for the Ecuador national team with 111 appearances and scored 18 goals during his career.
9. Jeremy Sarmiento
Jeremy Leonel Sarmiento Morante is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Brighton & Hove Albion and the Ecuador national team. Born in Spain to Ecuadorian parents, he represented England at youth international level before making his debut for Ecuador in October 2021.
His style of play has earned him call-ups to the Ecuador national team. He has made a total of 9 appearances for Ecuador and is considered one of Ecuador’s most promising young players. Jeremy Sarmiento will represent his country in the future. He was Brighton & Hove Albion’s Young Player of the Season: 2021–22.
10. Piero Hincapie
Piero Martin Hincapie Reyna, born on January 9, 2002, is a professional soccer player from Ecuador who plays as a defender, primarily as a center-back for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the Ecuador national team.
He is known as a defensive player for Leverkusen due to his aggressive tackling and ability to contribute to attacks and score important goals. He has represented the Ecuador national team 21 times and scored 1 goal during this period. Piero Hincapie will also feature in the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
With the talent that the country possesses, they are expected to make a deep run in the upcoming World Cup tournament held in Qatar in December 2022. Their first match is also the tournament opener against host Qatar at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor.
Conclusion
Ecuador’s soccer history is a tapestry woven with the threads of remarkable talent and enduring passion. From the legendary Alberto Spencer to the dynamic Enner Valencia and Antonio Valencia, the country has seen its stars shine on both domestic and international stages. With each player’s unique contributions, from Agustin Delgado’s prolific goal-scoring to Ivan Hurtado’s stalwart defense, Ecuador’s soccer legacy is one of resilience and excellence. As the nation looks ahead to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it does so with a sense of pride in its past achievements and anticipation for the future, buoyed by the promise of emerging talents like Jeremy Sarmiento and Piero Hincapie. Ecuador’s soccer journey is a testament to the enduring power of the beautiful game to unite, inspire, and elevate both players and fans alike.
See more: List of best players in Uruguay ever
