The remarkable campaigns he has had in recent years, which have made him a figurehead for the Ecuadorian national team and the teams he has played for, have made Enner Valencia considered a key factor in the national team.
The scorer of Three in Qatar 2022, according to the Argentine press, the first opponent of the Ecuadorians this Thursday at the start of the South American qualifiers for 2026, “is cautious”.
“The last goal Argentina conceded for a qualifying match was scored by a footballer they will face again this Thursday, at the start of the road to the 2026 World Cup,” he said in a daily note. Nation from Buenos Aires.
“He will require special attention, which is required by a shooter with history and present, already 33 years old. frightening. By the way, Enner Valencia, in question, can repeat what happened in March 2022, when he kicked out Gerónimo Rulli from the penalty spot and scored in a 1-1 draw with Ecuador, in Quito (it was in Guayaquil). It was the closing of the qualifiers for Qatar, and Argentina secured its place a long time ago. There were no regrets,” he added.
The note highlights the beginnings of the Ecuadorian striker who has been described as a “highly competitive” player.
“From very humble origins, from Riacaurte, his hometown, Valencia found a means of living and international projection in football. High competition is no stranger to him, as well as to several of his teammates: midfielder Moisés Caicedo, who recently became the best player in the Premier League with the 146 million euros he paid Chelsea; winger Pervis Estupiñan (Brighton); striker William Pacho (Eintracht Frankfurt) and midfielder José Cifuentes (Glasgow Rangers)”, he specified.
“Spanish technical director Félix Sánchez Bas raised some questions in Ecuador as he left attacking centre-back Leonardo Campana, Lionel Messi’s team-mate at Inter Miami, on the sidelines. The roster brings promise, attacking midfielder Kendry Páez, 16, the youngest to be called up for the play-offs, trained at the best youth academy in the country, that of Independiente del Valle, and is already booked by Chelsea with an option to buy by 2025,” he added.
He also referred to the goal drought that affected the current striker of Inter de Porto Alegre in Brazil for a while.
“His scoring frequency with Ecuador suffered an extended hiatus: between November 2019 and October 2021, he was inconsistent with a goal. Despite everything, he always had support Gustavo Alfaro. It reappeared in 2022, including the World Cup,” he said.
“In the new cycle, Sánchez Bas scored in friendly matches against Costa Rica and Bolivia. In qualifying for two World Cups, he scored nine goals. This Thursday, the third cycle begins, driven by his long stride and instinct for a goal that will put the Argentine defense to the test,” the newspaper concluded. (D)
South American qualifiers 2026
Source: Eluniverso
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
