Valencia back in World Cup spotlight with Ecuador
Journeyman Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has drifted in and out – mainly out – of planet football’s consciousness.
The striker skirts the periphery of relevance until arriving at the World Cup, where suddenly he is in his element.
Ecuador’s 33-year-old captain burst into the limelight in Brazil 2014, scoring three in the group phase against Switzerland and Honduras, although his team were eliminated.
Eight years later, in the Qatar curtain-raiser on November 20, Valencia spoiled the party for the hosts with a brace to secure a 2-0 win and saw another ruled out. Valencia’s spot-kick opener made him the oldest player to score the tournament’s opening goal.