Biography
Enner Remberto Valencia Lastra, born on November 4, 1989, in San Lorenzo, Ecuador, is one of Ecuador's top footballers. Known for his versatility as a forward, he started his professional career with Emelec in Ecuador and helped them win the 2013 Ecuadorian Serie A title. His impressive show in continental competitions earned him the Copa Sudamericana Golden Boot in 2013, gaining him international recognition.
Valencia's success in South America led him to join Liga MX club Pachuca in Mexico, where he continued to score prolifically. His performance in the 2014 Clausura tournament won him the Liga MX Golden Boot and boosted his reputation as a sharp finisher. This success led to his transfer to English Premier League club West Ham United for about £12 million in July 2014, nearly breaking the club's transfer record at the time. Moving to England marked a big step in his career, making him one of the few Ecuadorian players in Europe's top leagues.
During his time in England, Valencia was loaned to Everton for the 2016-17 season before transferring to Mexican club Tigres UANL in July 2017. At Tigres, he enjoyed significant success, winning Liga MX titles in the 2017 Apertura and 2019 Clausura tournaments. He also helped reach the final of the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League and finished as the competition's top scorer. In August 2020, Valencia joined Turkish club Fenerbahçe, where he won the Turkish Cup. He then moved to Brazilian club Internacional in mid-2023, before returning to Pachuca.
Internationally, Valencia has been Ecuador's standout player for over a decade. Since his debut in 2012, he has earned over 100 caps and serves as captain. His international career highlights include appearances in two FIFA World Cups (2014 and 2022) and five Copa América tournaments (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024). Valencia is Ecuador's all-time leading scorer with 49 international goals and has six World Cup goals, a national record. His consistent performances across leagues and competitions make him one of the best players in Ecuadorian football history.
Before Fame
Valencia grew up in San Lorenzo, Ecuador, when South American football was becoming more known worldwide. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, better scouting networks and more opportunities allowed talented players from smaller football nations to show their skills on the international stage. Valencia started gaining attention in Ecuador's domestic league, where he developed his skills and impressed scouts with his play in both domestic and continental competitions.
Key Achievements
- Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorer with 49 international goals
- Won league titles in three different countries: Ecuador (2013), Mexico (2017, 2019), and Turkey (2023 Turkish Cup)
- Earned Golden Boot awards in Copa Sudamericana (2013), Liga MX (2014), and CONCACAF Champions League (2019)
- Represented Ecuador at two FIFA World Cups and five Copa América tournaments
- Became the first Ecuadorian player to score in two different World Cup tournaments
Did You Know?
- 01.He scored six goals across two World Cup tournaments, making him Ecuador's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer
- 02.Valencia won Golden Boot awards in three different competitions: Copa Sudamericana (2013), Liga MX (2014), and CONCACAF Champions League (2019)
- 03.His transfer to West Ham United for £12 million nearly broke the club's transfer record at the time
- 04.He has played professional football on five different continents: South America, North America, Europe, Asia (Turkey), and through Fenerbahçe's European competitions
- 05.Valencia captained Ecuador to their first World Cup knockout stage appearance since 2006 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar