10 Of The Greatest Ecuadorian Players In History

Who are the greatest Ecuadorian footballers?

South American countries are well renowned for producing phenomenon footballers who take the footballing world by storm with their talents.

As far as Ecuador is concerned, a small west coast country in the South American region, obviously not one of the powerhouse countries from the Conmebol federations, however, they’re blessed with some decent players who had given the Ecuadorian fans a lot to smile for.

Here are 10 of Ecuador’s greatest footballers

Jorge Bolanos (1960-1969, 22 caps, 1 goal)

Jorge Bolanos nicknamed ‘The Kid’ enjoyed the biggest adoration and accolades from the Ecuadorian fans back in the ’60s for his undiluted magnificent skills on the ball while playing for his darling Emelec, where he won quite a lot of trophies.

He made his debut for the Ecuadorian giant at the age of 15 and went on to have a long and successful career in South American football winning notable titles with Emelec and Barcelona SC.

His club success obviously outshined that of his international career because Ecuador ain’t good enough to compete with a footballing powerhouse like Brazil, Argentina, and other brilliant footballing countries in the world.

Jose Cevallos (1994-2010, 89 caps)

Jose Cevallos truly did deserve the nickname ‘The Hands Of Ecuador‘ due to how brilliant he was, he marshaled the team’s goalpost during his time for the national team.

He was well renowned for his instrumental role in qualifying his country for their debut participation at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan where he kept a clean sheet during their 1-0 triumph over Brazil and unequivocally went on to become the country’s greatest goalie with 89 appearances.

Cevallos also did achieve huge success at the club level where he helped LDU Quito to win the Copa Libertadores saving three penalties against Brazilian giant Fluminense.

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Ulises De La Cruz (1995-2010, 101 caps, 6 goals)

With 101 appearances and six goals scored for the national team only a few of his compatriots achieved such a great feat in terms of his consistency and featuring on the biggest of stages for the country.

De La Cruz’s name may not be one of the finest South American names that send shivers down the spine of some players in the EPL, however, he’s no doubt one of Ecuadorian best players who had a successful stint at Aston Villa in 2002.

De La Cruz most recognizable success happened during his stay with LDU Quito, winning three Ecuadorian Serie A titles, a feat that further inked his name in the folklore of the club history as one of their best.

Ivan Hurtado (1992-2010, 168 caps, 5 goals)

Call him captain fantastic and you won’t be wrong for how remarkable his leadership skill was, and how dependable he was for La Tri in the heart of Ecuador’s national team defense.

Hurtado’s 167 appearances for Ecuador stand him high amongst the country’s greatest, for his longevity and ability to galvanize his teammates into giving their all on the pitch.

His time with the national team will be remembered for the important goal he scored in front of the Ecuadorian fans which erupted the whole of the stadium into a jubilant mood against La Albiceleste during the 1998 World Cup qualifier.

Edison Mendez  (2000-2014, 111 caps, 18 goals)

Mendez broke into the limelight in the mid-2000 and went on to inked his name in the history of his country as one of the best.

The Ecuadorian midfield maestro remains one of the few players from the west coast of the South American small nation that had a positive impact with a European club PSV Eindhoven winning two Eredivisie titles.

Mendez during his time in the yellow shirt racked up 108 appearances and scored 18 goals for La Tri which placed him as the third highest with the biggest cap for Ecuador.

Augustine Delgado (1994-2006, 71 caps, 31 goals)

Delgado’s influence as a footballer and politician back home no doubt ranks him among the greatest footballers the country has produced. The lanky forward was a prolific goal-scorer for his country and for those who saw him play at the 2002 World Cup can come to terms with how good he was.

While his story about being deadly in front of goal was something to behold, you can’t say much of his club career most importantly at Southampton where he struggled to hit the ground running due to injuries.

Delgado played a huge part in helping his country secure their first ever world cup ticket, playing a total of 71 games and scoring 31 goals during his active years with La Tri.

Alex Aguinaga  (1987-2004, 109 caps, 23 goals)

Aguinaga is one of Ecuador’s heroes that helped the country qualify for their first-ever maiden World Cup participation in Korea/Japan 2002.

The midfield maestro spent most of his club career in the Mexican LMX with Naxaca where he went on to inked his name in the folklore of the club as one of their legends having scored over 100 goals with three titles for the Mexican giant.

He was a creative midfielder that top teams in Europe were linked to signing, but refused to leave his darling Naxaca having enjoyed the adorations of the fans for his huge success on the pitch for the Mexican giant.

Christian Benitez (2005 –  2013, 58 caps 24 goals)

The late Benitez who is popularly referred to as ‘Chucho‘ will no doubt go down in the country’s footballing tales as one of their best, in terms his of passion, zeal, leadership, and efficiency in front of goal for La Tri national team.

Chucho began his career with El Nacional in the Ecuadorian topflight and also had a stint with Mexican outfit Santos Laguna with whom he won the best player of the year in 2008, before moving to Birmingham City for a short stint in England.

Benitez didn’t rack up a lot of caps for La Tri unlike Valencia et al, however, he was able to manage up to 58 caps and score 24 goals before the cold hands of death took him away in 2013.

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Antonio Valencia (2005-present, 99 caps,11 goals)

The former Manchester United versatile player will no doubt be remembered as arguably the best Ecuadorian player ever to achieve amazing success with Europe’s biggest football club.

Valencia joined the Old Trafford side from Wigan in 2009 and ended up winning a lot of trophies at United and racked up 99 caps and 11 goals for Ecuador at the international level.

This list of Ecuador’s greatest players won’t be complete without the name of Valencia for his versatility for his club and country during his active days.

Alberto Spencer  (1959-1963, 11 caps, 4 goals )

Spencer may not be fortunate enough to feature at the World Cup unlike Delgado, Valencia and other Ecuadorians great who played at the biggest level of national football, however, he remains one of the country’s finest to ever play football.

‘Cabeza Magica’ was named the 20th best South American football player in the 2004 poll by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics for how brilliant he was for club and country.

Spencer spent the majority of his career at Uruguay’s giant Penarol, where he scored a record 326 goals in his 10 years stint with the Montevideo-based side, winning the Copa Libertadores and a lot of league titles.

FAQ

Who is the best Soccer Player in Ecuador?

Alberto Spencer

Did Ecuador make the World Cup?

Ecuador have been allowed to remain in the 2022 World Cup after FIFA reviewed allegations that they fielded a “ghost” player in Byron Castillo, with the decision keeping would-be replacement Chile out of the Qatar competition.

How much do Ecuadorian soccer players make?

$423 (USD)/yr. The average football player gross salary in Ecuador is $16.801 or an equivalent hourly rate of $8. In addition, they earn an average bonus of $423. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Ecuador.

What is Ecuador FIFA ranking ?

46th

Who is the famous athlete from Ecuador?

Jefferson Pérez

With an HPI of 38.58, Jefferson Pérez is the most famous Athlete.

Is Ecuador a good soccer team?

Ecuador has historically been one of South America’s most struggling footballing nations. Despite its past irregularities, Ecuador has recently emerged as a serious South American competitor.

What is Ecuador known for?

Ecuador is famous for its Galápagos Islands, but the fourth-smallest country in South America has much more to offer. From its ancient Inca connections to unusual modern-day exports, here are some amazing facts about Ecuador you may not have known.

What country owns Ecuador?

The territory was colonized by Spain in the 16th century and gained independence as part of Gran Colombia in 1820, emerging as its own sovereign state in 1830.

What kind of country is Ecuador?

Republic

Ecuador is a republic with a presidential, unicameral representative democracy that includes the traditional three branches of power: executive (government), legislative (national assembly), and judicial (judiciary). The President serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

Is Ecuador a country or city?

Ecuador, country of northwestern South America. Ecuador is one of the most environmentally diverse countries in the world, and it has contributed notably to the environmental sciences.

Is Ecuador a poor or rich country?

Ecuador is an impoverished country. In 1994, 35% of its population was impoverished, and an additional 17% were extremely vulnerable to poverty. Furthermore, rural poverty is unquestionably more severe than urban poverty.

Why is Ecuador so popular?

Ecuador has many cultural heritage sites with unique fauna and flora, such as the Amazon Rainforest and the Galápagos Islands, the former with species of fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world, and the latter on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

What kind of crime is prevalent in Ecuador?

In Ecuador, crime is a major issue. Crimes against US citizens have ranged from petty theft to violent offenses such as armed robbery, home invasion, sexual assault, and several cases of murder and attempted murder in the last year.

What are five fascinating facts about Ecuador?

• Ecuador is the world’s closest country to space….
• Ecuador is the only country named after a geographical feature.
• Ecuador is home to the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Ecuador had a long-standing border dispute with Peru.
• Ecuador once shared borders with Colombia and Venezuela.

What is the official language of Ecuador?

Spanish

Ecuador’s 2010 census recorded 13 languages. Approximately 97% of Ecuadorians speak Spanish. Today, there are three distinct regional variations of Spanish spoken in Ecuador: Amazonic, Andean, and Equatorial Coastal.

Is Ecuador a beautiful country?

Ecuador is a breathtakingly beautiful country with nearly every type of dramatic landscape crammed into its small territory. The coast has world-famous beaches and is always warm due to Ecuador’s location straddling the equator.

Is Ecuador a 3rd world country?

According to the IMF definition, there are 152 developing countries with a current population of around 6.69 bn. At 85.33%, this is a considerable proportion of the world’s population.

• Population 17.9 M
• GNI per capita 5,930 USD
• Human Development Index 0.759
• Human Asset Index 90.3

Do US citizens require a visa to enter Ecuador?

For stays of 90 days or less, US citizens do not require a visa. Those planning a longer stay must apply for a visa in advance. Travelers who stay in Ecuador after their entry time limit may be barred from returning in the future.

What is Ecuador’s most famous food?

The bolon de verde, also known as “The Ball,” is Ecuador’s national dish.

This baseball- or grapefruit-sized ball is heavenly. Green plantains are mashed and formed into balls with a filling of meat (usually pork) or cheese. The entire ball of deliciousness is then pan fried and served hot.

How does Ecuador generate revenue?

Ecuador’s economy is based on petroleum production, primarily for the domestic market, commerce, and agricultural production for both domestic consumption and export. Petroleum, bananas, shrimp, flowers, and other primary agricultural products are the most important exports.

Is Ecuador an affordable place to live?

Ecuador is one of the world’s least expensive countries to live in. Everything ranging from the cost of real estate and rent to employing a permanent maid and dining out is cheaper. In addition, in major cities such as Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, you won’t have to forego First-World amenities.

When is the best time to go to Ecuador?

Most people would prefer dry and sunny days, so the months of June through September are often regarded as one of the best times to visit Ecuador. This is unquestionably the best time to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Ecuador’s grand mountains and volcanoes.

Does Ecuador have good beaches?

Ecuador’s coast is dotted with beaches that will make even the most seasoned traveler swoon. The offerings are plentiful for such a small country.

Are Ecuadorians impolite?

Ecuadorians are indirect conversationalists who interact politely and courteously. They consider blunt interaction to be extremely impolite. If they want someone to do something, they will usually flatter them so much that it is difficult for them not to agree.

Are Ecuadorians friendly?

Ecuadorians are customarily friendly and welcoming to visitors and tourists, but that doesn’t stop them from making fun of americans trekking through the Amazon in ponchos or hiking a volcano in flip-flops.

What is Ecuador’s culture?

Ecuador is a multi-ethnic country with indigenous, African, and European people. The majority of Ecuadorians are mestizos, meaning they have a mix of Spanish and indigenous ancestry. Over 1 million Ecuadorians are of African descent, with many residing in the northwestern regions of Esmeraldas and Chota.

What is Ecuador famous for?

• Galapagos Islands.
• Amazon Rainforest.
• Quito.
• Cotopaxi Volcano.
• Cuenca.
• El Cajas National Park.
• Banos.
• Bananas.

What are Ecuador’s gun laws?

Ecuador Gun Laws: Only firearms with a caliber of 9 millimeters or less are permitted in Ecuador. A firearm from another country cannot be imported. To own a firearm, you must be a resident and licensed, which includes a criminal background check and a mental health evaluation.

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