Jhon Jairo Espinoza Izquierdo is part of Ecuador’s football history as he was one of the pillars in 2019 in winning the South American U-20 in Chile and third place in the World Youth Championship played in Poland.

He is now looking to establish himself as a starter in the defense of FC Lugano of Switzerland in order to be considered by Spain coach Félix Sánchez Bas for the Tricolore in the 2026 World Cup and 2024 Copa América qualifiers.

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Espinoza, 24, rose to prominence at Deportivo Cuenca (2017 and 2018) and was transferred to Aucas (2018), a club where he excelled, making the leap to Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire with his dedication at the youth tournament. (MLS) in 2021.

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In an exclusive interview he gave to the show New Generation Three, From Diario EL UNIVERSO, the Guayaquil man admitted to being surprised by his rapid rise in football; the extraordinary level of Moisés Caicedo and Pervis Estupiñán with Brighton in the Premier League; and his desire to be a member of Barcelona Sporting Club in the future.

From the United States to Switzerland, how was that experience?

In the United States, I went through Chicago Fire, which was a nice experience abroad. It was my first team abroad, it was a good league and for me all the matches and the time I spent there, which was two years, were learning.

How do you feel on the pitch?

It’s true that I feel very good, I haven’t felt that football confidence for a long time, with those trainings I said: WOW! The truth is that I really enjoy it, I’m very happy, it’s a good team, a good group. I have the trust of the coach and teammates, and that makes me happy.

Do you see yourself in the Copa América with the national team?

I work for the national team, I want to be in the national team, I want to be in the Copa América, to be with teammates that I could share before both in the senior team and in the under-20s, especially with this young team that shows that it has character, attitude and desire to win everything.

Have you had contact or are you following in the footsteps of Enner Valencia in Turkey?

I had no contact, but I also tell you the truth, I follow all the players in Europe, I like to watch football. I can spend the whole day watching football, I see Enner’s games, goals, Fenerbahçe from Turkey, it’s really amazing how fruitful everything he does bears fruit.

Do you think it’s harder to adjust to a country without a close family member?

I would adapt to any situation, whether with my family, with my wife or just because I was alone in the United States. I only lived in the USA for a year, in Quito for three years, so I think I would fit in any situation. Now I am married and my family is with me now.

Will we see John Espinoza in Barcelona?

I would like to go through Barcelona. (D)