Iván Jacinto Hurtado

Iván Hurtado, born Iván Jacinto Hurtado Angulo on August 16, 1974, is a professional footballer from Equador with jersey number 33. He is the central defender for Sociedad Deportivo Quito and the captain of the Ecuadorian national football team where he was part of since 1992.

Hurtado began playing at the age of 16 in his hometown’s club, Petrolero Emeraldas. A year later, he transferred to the bigger Club Sport Emelec where he shone and won two championships for two seasons. In 1992, at the age of 17 years and 285 days, he became the youngest football player to play for Ecuador’s national team.

The Ecuadorian footballer began playing professional football in Mexican clubs, first with Celaya’s Toro and then with the Tigres. He then played in Spain’s La Liga for Real Murcia before transferring back to play in the Mexican Primera Division for Pachuca. It was followed by a short stint in Al Arabi in the Qatari league. He then moved to play in Columbia’s Atletico Nacional before returning to Deportivo Quito in 2009.

One of the best performances of Hurtado came in 2002 when he was significant in achieving Ecuador’s the first ever berth in the World Cup. His performance was impressive that he was appointed as the captain of the Ecuador’s national team. He also proved his defense skills well in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Playing for Ecuador, he left many star players anxious to make a goal.

Hurtado has the record for the most number of international caps in South America. He also tops any player as having the most qualification matches for the FIFA World Cup.