Antonio Valencia

Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera, commonly known simply as Antonio Valencia, is an Ecuador international football player who currently features for the English and European giants Manchester United. He usually plays as a right winger.

Valencia started his professional club football career at Ecuadorian giants CD EL Nacional in 2001 and played for them for five seasons, scoring 20 goals in 84 league matches and establishing himself as a gifted and hugely promising Ecuadorian football player.

Valencia was then signed by Spanish club Villarreal and was officially on their books until 2008. However, he could play only two league matches for the Yellow Submarine and spent the 2005-2006 season on loan for Recreativo de Huelva in Spain and one and a half years at English side Wigan Athletic, scoring one goal in 37 impressive Premier League matches.

In January 2008 Wigan Athletic signed Valencia on a permanent deal on a three and a half year contract for an undisclosed fee. Valencia moved to Manchester United in the summer of 2009 as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid, following his impressive performances for the Latics.

Valencia quickly settled into life at Old Trafford and established himself as one of the more important players in manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. He won the Premier League with United in 2010-11, the Football League Cup in 2009-10 and the FA Community Shield in 2010.

Valencia made his international debut for Ecuador in 2005 and has played in over 40 international matches for his nation so far. His first international match was against Paraguay in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on March 27, 2005. He was a huge hit at the 2006 Germany World Cup finals and was nominated for FIFA’s ideal xi team. He has played in over 50 international matches for his country.