Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera

[Andi Istiabudi]

VALENCIA INSPIRED BY ECUADORIAN OLYMPIAN

Manchester United star Antonio Valencia has revealed which fellow Ecuadorian has inspired him the most throughout his career.

The Ecuador captain is one of only three players from his country currently playing in the Premier League – along with Swansea's Jefferson Montero and Everton's Enner Valencia – and is set to receive his 90th cap in Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Brazil.

Valencia, whose consistent displays last season earned him the Players' Player of the Year award and helped the Reds win three trophies, is among the most decorated Ecuadorian footballers of all-time but he named some other famous sporting stars who have represented his nation.

"Jefferson Perez gave us our first Olympic gold medal. [Alex] Aguinaga, represented our country for 20 years in Mexico; Agustin Delgado played here in Premier League, Ulises de la Cruz who also played in Premier League. These are the big names for us, who marked a special era in Ecuadorian sport."

When asked who, outside of his family, has inspired him the most, Valencia replied: "Jefferson Perez – he fought hard to win a medal that was so important for Ecuador. With limited resources, he trained hard and was able to achieve a medal for our country."

WHO IS JEFFERSON PEREZ?

A retired Olympian, Perez is regarded as one of the most important South American athletes in history and the biggest sportsman in Ecuador, having won the only two medals the country has ever achieved in the Olympic Games.

The 43-year-old specialised in the 20km walk event and won gold at his first Olympics in Atlanta, United States, in 1996 – becoming the youngest athlete to do so in the 20km event.

After failing to win any medals in 2000 and 2004, he claimed silver in the same competition in his final Olympics in Beijing in 2008 at the age of 34 before announcing his retirement from the sport.

PRIDE OF HIS COUNTRY

Like Perez, Valencia is immensely proud to be an Ecuadorian and the experienced full-back, who made his international debut in 2004, enjoys every occasion he wears his nation's colours.

"[I'm] very proud to represent my country here in England, in the Premier League. I hope to carry the flag with pride in Premier League matches," he said. "It is an absolute honour to pull on the Ecuadorian shirt.

"Thankfully, I have represented my country in several matches – two World Cups, three Copa Americas – and I wear it every time as if it were the first time. I get really excited and wear it with pride."

FUTURE PLANS

Valencia, who joined United from Wigan in 2009, has been playing outside of his country since leaving El Nacional in 2005 and the 31-year-old says he plans to return to his homeland in the future.

When asked if he will go back to Ecuador once he's hung up his boots, he said: "Of course. My brothers, my family, and my friends are there. I hope to play a few more seasons and then go back to my country."

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