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Enner Valencia
Enner Valencia
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Enner Remberto Valencia Lastra (born 4 November 1989) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga MX club Pachuca and captains the Ecuador national team.[2]

Key Information

Valencia previously played for Emelec in Ecuador, where he won the 2013 Ecuadorian Serie A and was awarded the Copa Sudamericana Golden Boot in 2013. He also played for Pachuca in Mexico, being awarded the Liga MX Golden Boot in the 2014 Clausura tournament. He joined English club West Ham United for an estimated £12 million in July 2014, almost breaking the club's signing record. In August 2016, Valencia went out on loan to Everton for the season, before being sold to Mexican club Tigres UANL in July 2017. At Tigres, he won Liga MX's 2017 Apertura and 2019 Clausura tournaments, and finished runner-up in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League, winning the latter competition's Golden Boot. In August 2020, Valencia signed for Fenerbahçe in Turkey and won the Turkish Cup in his final season, before joining Brazilian club Internacional in mid-2023.

At the international level, Valencia has earned over 100 caps for Ecuador since his debut in 2012. He represented the nation at the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and 2022, and the Copa América in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024. Widely regarded as one of the best Ecuadorian players of all time, Valencia is Ecuador's all-time top scorer with 48 goals, and has also scored a record six World Cup goals for his national team.

Club career

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Emelec

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Enner Valencia came to Guayaquil to trial for Emelec in 2008 from Caribe Junior's youth system, the same team where Ecuador star Antonio Valencia played in his early years.[3] In 2008, he was transferred to Emelec.[3] From 2008 to early 2010 he received no opportunities in the first team, but with the arrival of the Argentinian coach Jorge Sampaoli, Valencia started to receive playtime opportunities.[3] Emelec were runners-up to champions L.D.U. Quito, losing 2–1 on aggregate score.[4]

Valencia scored nine league goals in 30 league matches in 2011.[5] In November 2012, he scored five goals in five separate matches against El Nacional, LDU Loja, Técnico Universitario, and twice against Manta in both home and away matches, winning four of the five matches, only drawing against LDU Loja.[5] This brought his goal tally to 13 goals scored in 40 league matches played, his best season yet, but for a third season in a row, the team was runner-up to league champions and club rivals Barcelona SC.[5]

On 7 August 2013, Valencia scored his first career hat-trick against Peruvian side Sport Huancayo, in a 4–0 2013 Copa Sudamericana first round match.[5][6] He finished the season as league champions with Emelec, the club's first since 2002.[7]

Pachuca

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After numerous rumours involving the interest of Liga MX side Pachuca for Valencia, both parties came to terms and agreed on a transfer.[8]

On 18 January 2014, Valencia scored his first goal in a 2–1 victory against Tijuana.[9] The following week he scored two goals to in Pachuca's first away win league match against league champions Club León.[10] He finished the regular season as the top goal-scorer with 12 goals, scoring various braces for Pachuca. Valencia scored his first hat-trick against UNAM in a 2–4 away win to advance in the 2014 Liga MX Clausura play-offs.[11]

West Ham United

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2014–15

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Valencia playing for West Ham United in 2016

On 29 July 2014, Premier League club West Ham United completed the transfer of Valencia, on a five-year contract for a fee estimated at £12 million.[12] He later confirmed that he knew little about West Ham before signing and that he mainly knew of them having watched hooligan films such as the 2005 release of Green Street starring Elijah Wood.[13] Valencia made his West Ham debut on 16 August 2014 in a 1–0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for Carlton Cole.[14] On 27 August, he had his penalty saved by Mark Howard as West Ham were knocked out at home in the second round of the League Cup by Sheffield United.[15] Valencia's first goal for West Ham came in his full league debut, against Hull City on 15 September 2014, in a 2–2 draw.[16] The 25-yard (23 m; 75 ft) strike, timed at 61 miles per hour (98 km/h), was described by journalist Henry Winter of The Daily Telegraph as an "exceptional goal".[17] Valencia went on to score two more goals for West Ham in the following weeks, including a header in a 3–1 away win at Burnley,[18] and a goal in a 2–2 draw with Stoke City.[19]

2015–16

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His first match of his second season was on 30 July 2015 in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg at home against Astra Giurgiu; he headed West Ham into the lead but was one of two players substituted through injury in the first half as the team eventually drew 2–2.[20] It was confirmed that he had suffered "significant" injuries to his right knee and ankle,[21] and was ruled out for twelve weeks.[22] Valencia scored his first league goals of the 2015–16 season with two in a 3–1 comeback win against AFC Bournemouth on 12 January 2016, including a powerfully hit free-kick.[23]

Loan to Everton

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On 31 August 2016, Valencia signed for Everton on a season-long loan, with the option of a permanent £14.5 million move in the summer of 2017.[24] Valencia scored his first league goal for Everton when he fired home from close range in a 3–0 win against Southampton on 2 January 2017.[25]

Tigres UANL

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On 13 July 2017, Valencia signed for Tigres UANL for a fee of 4.2 million.[26]

Fenerbahçe

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2020–21 season

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On 28 August 2020, Valencia signed for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe on a free transfer.[27] In his first year with the team, he scored 12 goals in 34 matches of 2020–21 Süper Lig.

2021–22 season

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On 26 August 2021, he made his first hat-trick with the team against HJK Helsinki in 2021–22 UEFA Europa League season and Fenerbahçe won the game 5-2[28] He scored 13 goals in all competitives of 33 matches.

2022–23 season

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He made a very strong start to the 2022–23 season with coach Jorge Jesus and recorded braces against Ümraniyespor, Kasımpaşa and Adana Demirspor in his first three matches of the season. On 15 January 2023, he also scored a brace against Gaziantep.[29]

On 9 October 2022, he scored his first hat-trick in a league match against Karagümrük in 2022–23 Süper Lig season and Fenerbahçe won the match 5–4[30] and on 29 January 2023, he scored 4 goals against Kasımpaşa and helped Fenerbahçe to a 5–1 victory.[31]

He also recorded braces against Konyaspor and Alanyaspor in the season.[citation needed]

In total, Valencia scored 29 goals, becoming the top scorer in the Süper Lig.[citation needed]

SC Internacional

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On 12 June 2023, Valencia signed a three-year contract with Série A club Internacional on a free transfer, signing with the Colorado club for three years.[32] He made his debut for the team on July 9, starting in a 2-0 loss to Fluminense at Maracanã. The player had a rather discreet performance, without any shots on goal and was substituted at halftime.

He scored his first goal for the club on August 1st, but couldn't prevent the comeback defeat of 2-1 to River Plate at Monumental de Nuñez, in a match valid for the Round of 16 of the Libertadores.

After advancing against River Plate, Internacional traveled to La Paz to face Bolívar in a quarter-final match of the Copa Libertadores. At the 16th minute of the game, Enner received a good pass from Alan Patrick and advanced alone against the Bolivian team's defenders, successfully finishing with a powerful and unstoppable shot into the lower right corner of the goalkeeper Lampe. The forward emerged as a hero in the Colorado's victory in high altitude, alongside Uruguayan goalkeeper Rochet, who made important saves.

Return to Pachuca

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On 11 September 2025, Valencia joined Pachuca after leaving Internacional, beginning his second spell with the club.[citation needed]

International career

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After playing for the nation's under-22 team at the 2011 Pan American Games, Valencia made his debut for Ecuador on 12 February 2012 in a friendly against Honduras.[2]

Valencia playing for the Ecuador National Team in 2015.

Valencia initially began his career as a winger, but was converted to play as a striker by Emelec coach Gustavo Quinteros. Reinaldo Rueda started experimenting with Valencia as a striker after the untimely death of Christian Benítez.[33] After making three appearances in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, he scored his first international goal in a 2–2 draw against Honduras on 19 November 2013. He continued his good form in 2014, scoring in three of Ecuador's four pre-tournament friendlies. On 5 March, he scored, assisted a goal and won a penalty kick as La Tri came from 3–0 down to defeat Australia 4–3.[2] He then scored the team's only goal in a 3–1 loss against Mexico, and gave them an early lead in a 2–2 draw with England in Miami.[34]

In June 2014, Valencia was named in Ecuador's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[35] On 15 June, he made his FIFA World Cup debut in the team's opening match against Switzerland at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasília, opening the scoring with a header in a 2–1 defeat.[36] In Ecuador's second match, Valencia scored both goals to defeat Honduras 2–1 in Curitiba.[37] He continued his good form after the FIFA World Cup, scoring the third goal of a 4–0 victory against Bolivia. On 10 October, Valencia again netted for Ecuador in the 88th minute over the United States, which ended in a 1–1 draw. His swerving, right-footed shot took a right turn on its way towards the goal, making it impossible for goalkeeper Brad Guzan to stop.[38]

In Ecuador's second group match at the 2015 Copa América in Chile, Valencia successfully converted a penalty to Bolivia, but the kick had to be taken again due to an opponent's infringement; the re-take was saved by Romel Quiñónez. He later scored from close range, but Ecuador lost 2–3 nonetheless.[39] Four days later in Rancagua, Valencia set up Miller Bolaños' opener and scored Ecuador's second goal as they won 2–1 against Mexico, eliminating the opponents.[40]

On 8 October 2021, in a 2022 World Cup qualification match against Bolivia, Valencia scored his 32nd and 33rd international goals, becoming the Ecuador national team's all time top goal scorer.[41]

Valencia was named in the Ecuadorian squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[42] In the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Valencia scored the first goal of the tournament with a penalty. Valencia scored both of Ecuador's goals in the same match, their 2–0 win over tournament hosts Qatar in the opening match at the 2022 World Cup.[43] In doing so, he became Ecuador's record goalscorer at World Cup final tournaments, with five goals.[44] On 25 November 2022, Valencia scored in a 1–1 tie against the Netherlands, thus becoming the first South American player to score six consecutive times in the World Cup.[45] Valencia scored the only goal in the victory over Peru on 10 September 2024 for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

He gained his 100th cap on 9 September 2025, becoming the seventh Ecuadorian to do so.[46]

Personal life

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Valencia hails from Esmeraldas Province and is of Afro-Ecuadorian descent. He came from a poor family and when he arrived at Emelec, he had to sleep in rudimentary lodgings at the club's Estadio George Capwell, as he had no money to stay anywhere else and at times struggled to buy enough to eat.[33] In October 2016, a warrant was issued for his arrest in Ecuador for unpaid child support.[47] In August 2020, Valencia's sister, Erci was taken hostage in San Lorenzo by an armed gang and held for 10 days before being released unharmed.[48]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 17 October 2025[5][49]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Emelec 2010[5] Ecuadorian Serie A 25 1 11[c] 1 36 2
2011[5] 30 9 5[d] 0 35 9
2012[5] 40 13 14[e] 0 54 13
2013[5] 35 4 11[f] 5 46 9
Total 130 27 41 6 171 33
Pachuca 2014[5] Liga MX 23 18 2 0 25 18
West Ham United 2014–15[49] Premier League 32 4 4 1 1 0 37 5
2015–16 19 4 4 0 0 0 1[g] 1 24 5
2016–17 3 0 4[g] 0 7 0
Total 54 8 8 1 1 0 5 1 68 10
Everton (loan) 2016–17 Premier League 21 3 1 0 1 0 23 3
Tigres UANL 2017–18 Liga MX 37 15 1 0 3[h] 2 1[i] 0 42 17
2018–19 31 5 6 3 8[h] 7 45 15
2019–20 27 1 0 0 4[j] 1 31 2
Total 95 21 7 3 15 10 1 0 118 34
Fenerbahçe 2020–21 Süper Lig 34 12 1 1 35 13
2021–22 25 7 2 1 6[k] 5 33 13
2022–23 31 29 5 1 12[l] 3 48 33
Total 90 48 8 3 18 8 116 59
Internacional 2023 Série A 22 9 6[m] 4 28 13
2024 24 3 3 4 2[n] 0 11[o] 4 40 11
2025 14 1 3 0 5[m] 1 10[o] 5 32 7
Total 60 13 6 4 13 5 21 9 100 31
Pachuca 2025–26 Liga MX 5 1 5 1
Career total 478 139 32 11 2 0 90 29 22 9 626 189
  1. ^ Includes Copa MX, FA Cup, Turkish Cup, Copa do Brasil
  2. ^ Includes Football League Cup/EFL Cup
  3. ^ Seven appearances in Copa Libertadores, four appearances and one goal in Copa Sudamericana
  4. ^ Four appearances in Copa Libertadores, one appearance in Copa Sudamericana
  5. ^ Eight appearances in Copa Libertadores, six appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  6. ^ Seven appearances in Copa Libertadores, four appearances and five goals in Copa Sudamericana
  7. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ a b Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
  9. ^ Appearance in Campeones Cup
  10. ^ Two appearances in Leagues Cup, two appearances and one goal in Campeones Cup
  11. ^ Four appearances and five goals in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  12. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, ten appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League
  13. ^ a b Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  14. ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  15. ^ a b Appearances in Campeonato Gaúcho

International

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As of match played 14 October 2025[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Ecuador 2012 1 0
2013 6 1
2014 10 10
2015 5 2
2016 12 6
2017 7 2
2018 5 6
2019 8 4
2020 2 0
2021 11 3
2022 10 4
2023 6 2
2024 12 4
2025 7 4
Total 102 48

Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Valencia goal.[50]

List of international goals scored by Enner Valencia
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 19 November 2013 BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, United States 7  Honduras 2–2 2–2 Friendly
2 5 March 2014 The Den, London, England 8  Australia 3–3 4–3
3 31 May 2014 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States 9  Mexico 1–3 1–3
4 4 June 2014 Sun Life Stadium, Miami, United States 10  England 1–0 2–2
5 15 June 2014 Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil 11   Switzerland 1–0 1–2 2014 FIFA World Cup
6 20 June 2014 Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, Brazil 12  Honduras 1–1 2–1
7 2–1
8 6 September 2014 Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States 14  Bolivia 3–0 4–0 Friendly
9 10 October 2014 Rentschler Field, East Hartford, United States 16  United States 1–1 1–1
10 14 October 2014 Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States 17  El Salvador 2–0 5–1
11 4–1
12 15 June 2015 Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile 21  Bolivia 1–3 2–3 2015 Copa América
13 19 June 2015 Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua, Chile 22  Mexico 2–0 2–1
14 24 March 2016 Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador 23  Paraguay 1–0 2–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
15 8 June 2016 University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, United States 27  Peru 1–2 2–2 Copa América Centenario
16 12 June 2016 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States 28  Haiti 1–0 4–0
17 11 October 2016 Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia 33  Bolivia 1–2 2–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
18 2–2
19 15 November 2016 Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador 34  Venezuela 3–0 3–0
20 13 June 2017 Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States 38  El Salvador 2–0 3–0 Friendly
21 5 September 2017 Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador 40  Peru 1–2 1–2 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
22 7 September 2018 Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States 42  Jamaica 1–0 2–0 Friendly
23 11 September 2018 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, United States 43  Guatemala 1–0 2–0
24 12 October 2018 Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar 44  Qatar 1–2 3–4
25 2–4
26 15 November 2018 National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru 45  Peru 2–0 2–0
27 20 November 2018 Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama 46  Panama 2–1 2–1
28 1 June 2019 Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, United States 47  Venezuela 1–1 1–1
29 21 June 2019 Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil 50  Chile 1–1 1–2 2019 Copa América
30 14 November 2019 Estadio Reales Tamarindos, Portoviejo, Ecuador 53  Trinidad and Tobago 2–0 3–0 Friendly
31 3–0
32 7 October 2021 Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil, Ecuador 65  Bolivia 2–0 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
33 3–0
34 10 October 2021 Estadio Olímpico de la UCV, Caracas, Venezuela 66  Venezuela 1–0 1–2
35 29 March 2022 Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil, Ecuador 70  Argentina 1–1 1–1
36 20 November 2022 Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar 75  Qatar 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup
37 2–0
38 25 November 2022 Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar 76  Netherlands 1–1 1–1
39 17 June 2023 Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States 78  Bolivia 1–0 1–0 Friendly
40 20 June 2023 Subaru Park, Chester, United States 79  Costa Rica 1–0 3–1
41 12 June 2024 Subaru Park, Chester, United States 85  Bolivia 1–0 3–1
42 10 September 2024 Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, Quito, Ecuador 91  Peru 1–0 1–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
43 14 November 2024 Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil, Ecuador 94  Bolivia 1–0 4–0
44 19 November 2024 Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia 95  Colombia 1–0 1–0
45 21 March 2025 Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, Quito, Ecuador 96  Venezuela 1–0 2–1
46 2–0
47 9 September 2025 Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil, Ecuador 100  Argentina 1–0 1–0
48 10 October 2025 Q2 Stadium, Austin, United States 101  United States 1–0 1–1 Friendly

Honours

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See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Enner Valencia (born 4 November 1989) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for club and captains the national team. Widely regarded as one of Ecuador's greatest players, he is the country's all-time leading goalscorer with 48 international goals in 101 appearances. Valencia began his professional career with Emelec in before being loaned to Mexican club in 2010 and permanently joining them in 2013, where he emerged as a prolific scorer with 34 goals across his first stint in 77 appearances. His performances earned him a transfer to United in the English in 2014 for a reported £12 million, making him the most expensive Ecuadorian player at the time. During his tenure with from 2014 to 2017, including a loan spell at Everton, he scored 11 goals in 67 league matches and helped the team reach the quarter-finals. Returning to with in 2017, Valencia achieved further success, winning two league titles (Apertura 2017 and Clausura 2019) and scoring 42 goals in 107 appearances, while also securing the Champions League in 2020. He later played for Fenerbahçe in the Turkish (2020–2023, where he netted 29 goals in 58 league games), and Internacional in (2023–2025) before rejoining in September 2025 on a contract until December 2027. In the 2025–26 season, he has contributed 3 goals in 9 matches as of November 2025. On the international stage, Valencia debuted for in 2012 and has since become a key figure, leading the team to three appearances: 2014, 2022, and 2026. He scored all three of 's goals at the 2014 , including a brace against , and repeated the feat with three goals at the 2022 tournament—a brace against hosts and one against the —becoming the first player to score his nation's six consecutive goals. broke 's all-time scoring record in 2021 with his 32nd goal against and continued to add to his tally, including five goals during the 2026 qualifiers. His leadership and finishing ability have been pivotal in 's recent successes, including qualification for consecutive for the first time.

Personal life

Early life and background

Enner Remberto Valencia Lastra was born on November 4, 1989, in San Lorenzo, a coastal canton in Ecuador's , to a poor of Afro-Ecuadorian descent. Growing up in , Valencia spent his childhood assisting his father on the , where they raised and crops to make ends meet. To help support his siblings, he often sold milk on the streets of Esmeraldas, navigating a challenging environment marked by limited resources and economic hardship. Despite these circumstances, Valencia developed an early passion for football through informal games with local children, playing barefoot on dirt fields in his hometown and honing his skills amid the region's vibrant but underprivileged community. Valencia's talent began to emerge in his mid-teens, leading to initial trials and development in local youth academies such as Caribe Junior, where he trained from 2005 to 2008, followed by joining Emelec's in 2008 at age 18. This progression from street games to structured training laid the foundation for his professional aspirations in Ecuador's competitive football landscape. As of 2023, a biopic titled Enner was announced, set to chronicle Valencia's inspiring journey from to international stardom, with production planned for , , and in 2024; no further updates as of 2025. The film, produced by 8th Gear Entertainment and others, underscores his rags-to-riches narrative as a symbol of perseverance for aspiring athletes from similar backgrounds.

Family and personal matters

Enner Valencia has been married to Sharon Escobar since around 2010. The couple has four children together. In October 2016, an arrest warrant was issued in for Valencia due to approximately $17,000 in unpaid obligations to his former partner for their five-year-old daughter, Beira. Authorities attempted to detain him during Ecuador's qualifier against , but he evaded arrest by leaving the pitch on a medical cart citing . The warrant was subsequently revoked by a judge, who granted him a deadline to resolve the payments amicably. On August 18, 2020, Valencia's 28-year-old sister, Erci, was kidnapped from the family home in San Lorenzo, , , by eight heavily armed individuals. She was held captive for 10 days in a location as part of an attempt. Ecuadorian security forces rescued her unharmed on August 28, 2020, in a joint operation. Valencia has been active in , particularly supporting communities in his native . In May 2023, he sponsored the reconstruction of Escuela Fiscal Mixta Ricaurte, his former school in the rural parish of Ricaurte. During the in May 2020, he donated 300 food kits to low-income families in Esmeraldas affected by the crisis. Valencia maintains strong ties to but has followed a peripatetic lifestyle aligned with his professional moves, residing in for extended periods with (2014–2017 and 2025–present) and (2017–2020), in during his time at United (2014–2017) and a to Everton (2017), in with Fenerbahçe (2020–2023), and in with Internacional (2023–2025).

Club career

Emelec (2008–2014)

Valencia joined Club Sport Emelec in 2008 after progressing through the youth ranks at Caribe Junior, marking the beginning of his professional association with the Guayaquil-based club. He made his professional debut in 2010 under coach , appearing in 24 matches and scoring 1 goal during the season as Emelec finished second in the league. His early contributions helped solidify his place in the squad, though opportunities were limited initially. The 2011 season represented a breakthrough for Valencia, where he scored 9 goals in 28 league appearances, emerging as a key attacking threat for Emelec. This form continued to develop in 2012, with 13 goals across 39 matches, including strong performances in domestic competitions that positioned Emelec as contenders. By 2013, Valencia played a vital role in Emelec's successful campaign, contributing to their championship win with 4 goals in 36 appearances; the team clinched the title after defeating in the finals. Notable highlights included a in a 4–0 victory over during the first round of the 2013 , showcasing his prowess in continental play and aiding Emelec's run to the quarterfinals. Over his time at Emelec from 2010 to 2013, Valencia amassed 117 appearances and 23 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as a consistent performer against rivals like in high-stakes derbies. His domestic success directly influenced his early international call-up for in 2012. In January 2014, Valencia transferred to in for a fee of €3.28 million, ending his tenure at his boyhood club.

Pachuca (2014)

Valencia transferred to from Emelec in January 2014 for a fee of approximately €3.3 million. In his debut season during the 2014 Clausura, he emerged as a prolific scorer, netting 12 goals in the regular season to claim the top scorer title. His contributions extended to the Liguilla playoffs, where he added six more goals, helping advance to the final before a loss to León. Valencia also featured prominently in the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League, scoring three goals as progressed to the quarterfinals before elimination by . Across all competitions in 2014, he recorded 25 appearances and 18 goals, showcasing his clinical finishing and earning recognition as one of Liga MX's standout forwards.

West Ham United (2014–2017)

Enner Valencia transferred to West Ham United from in July 2014 for a reported fee of €15 million, marking one of the highest transfers for an Ecuadorian player at the time and nearly breaking the club's signing record. He signed a five-year contract, arriving after a strong showing at the where he scored three goals for . In his debut 2014–15 season, Valencia adapted to the Premier League's intensity, making 34 appearances across all competitions and scoring 6 goals. His first goal for the club came in a 2–2 draw against Hull City on 15 September 2014, a powerful 25-yard strike that highlighted his shooting ability. He also netted in the replay against Everton, contributing to West Ham's mid-table finish of 12th place. However, challenges emerged, including a that he addressed by studying English daily, and a freak injury when he cut his toe on broken glass at home in March 2015. Valencia's form improved in the 2015–16 season, where he recorded 5 goals in 22 appearances despite a major setback—a significant and ankle sustained in a Europa League qualifier against Astra Giurgiu in July 2015, which sidelined him for around three months. His contributions included a goal in the Europa League and efforts in the , where reached the semi-finals before losing to Manchester United; these helped secure a seventh-place finish and European qualification. By the 2016–17 season, limited opportunities saw Valencia feature in just 7 appearances without scoring before the club opted to him out in January 2017 to regain form through regular play. Over his non-loan tenure at from 2014 to early 2017, he amassed 63 appearances and 11 goals across all competitions, showcasing his versatility as a forward while navigating the physical and cultural demands of English football.

Everton (loan) (2017)

Enner Valencia's loan move to Everton from United, initially agreed in August 2016, extended into the 2017 calendar year, allowing him to feature prominently in the latter stages of the season. Following a period of limited opportunities and injury setbacks at , the Ecuadorian forward arrived at seeking regular minutes to regain his form. Under manager , Valencia quickly adapted to Everton's high-pressing system, often deployed as a versatile attacker capable of playing wide or centrally. He developed a strong on-pitch understanding with star striker , using his speed and work rate to stretch defenses and create space for the Belgian's powerful runs and finishes. This partnership proved effective in several matches, with Valencia's direct style complementing Lukaku's physical presence to bolster Everton's attacking threat. Valencia recorded 3 goals in 21 Premier League appearances during the loan spell, with all his strikes coming in 2017. His first came on 2 January against Southampton, tapping in a rebound after a Lukaku header was parried, opening the scoring in a 3–0 home victory. He followed this with a quick substitute's goal against Hull City on 18 March, slotting home after just 69 seconds on the pitch to spark a 4–0 rout. His third and final league goal arrived on 15 April versus Burnley, a clinical finish in a 2–0 win that helped solidify Everton's push for European qualification. In total, he made 25 appearances across all competitions, providing 1 assist and contributing to the team's energetic counter-attacking play. Despite inconsistent starting opportunities—beginning only 7 league games— earned praise for his relentless work rate and positive influence from the bench, often injecting pace and pressing intensity into proceedings. His efforts played a role in Everton securing a seventh-place finish, their highest in over a decade, and positioning them for potential Europa League football. Koeman highlighted 's professionalism and impact as a squad player in maintaining the team's mid-table stability. The loan concluded at the end of the 2016–17 season in May 2017, after which Everton opted not to exercise the purchase clause. Valencia returned to but departed almost immediately for a permanent €5.5 million transfer to in , marking the end of his English football chapter.

Tigres UANL (2017–2020)

In July 2017, Enner Valencia transferred from United to for an undisclosed fee reported to be in the range of £5–7.5 million (approximately €7 million). The move marked his return to after a challenging stint in , allowing him to reunite with the Mexican league where he had previously excelled at . Under head coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti, Valencia quickly integrated into the squad as a key forward, leveraging his speed and finishing ability in Tigres' high-pressing system. During the 2017 Apertura, Valencia scored 12 goals in 21 appearances, playing a pivotal role in Tigres' campaign that culminated in the league title—their sixth in club history—after defeating Monterrey 2–1 on aggregate in the final. His contributions extended beyond the regular season, including crucial strikes in the liguilla playoffs that helped secure the championship. The following seasons saw continued success, with Tigres winning the 2019 Clausura and reaching the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League final, where Valencia led the tournament with 7 goals despite the 1–2 aggregate loss to Monterrey. Over his three-year tenure from 2017 to 2020, Valencia made 118 appearances and scored 34 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as a consistent starter and vital component of Tigres' attack under Ferretti's long-standing management. His time at the club was marked by domestic dominance and continental competitiveness, contributing to multiple titles and deep tournament runs. In June 2020, following the arrival of new signing Leonardo Fernández, Valencia bid farewell to Tigres after a successful stint, paving the way for his move to Fenerbahçe in August.

Fenerbahçe (2020–2023)

Valencia joined Fenerbahçe on a free transfer from Tigres UANL on 28 August 2020, signing a three-year deal after his contract with the Mexican club expired. In the 2020–21 season, Valencia quickly adapted to the Süper Lig, scoring 14 goals in 27 league appearances and adding 1 goal in the Turkish Cup, for a total of 15 goals in 34 matches across all competitions. His contributions helped Fenerbahçe secure third place in the Süper Lig, though the team was eliminated early from European competition. The 2021–22 campaign saw Valencia hampered by injuries, limiting him to 25 league appearances where he netted 8 goals, alongside 3 goals in Europa League qualifiers, totaling 11 goals in 30 outings. Fenerbahçe finished as runners-up in the , with Valencia's versatility as a forward proving valuable in key matches despite his reduced playing time. Valencia's form peaked in the 2022–23 season, where he exploded for 29 goals in 31 matches, earning the league's top scorer award and helping Fenerbahçe to another second-place finish. He added 3 goals in the —where Fenerbahçe claimed the title with a 2–0 final win over —and 2 goals in the group stage, contributing to a total of 34 goals in 48 appearances that season. Over his three seasons at Fenerbahçe, Valencia amassed 116 appearances and 59 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as a fan favorite for his prolific scoring and work rate, despite accumulating several yellow cards for disciplinary infractions. In June 2023, he departed for Internacional.

Internacional (2023–2025)

In July 2023, Enner Valencia joined Sport Club Internacional on a free transfer from Fenerbahçe, signing a contract until December 2025. His arrival bolstered the team's attacking options, and in his debut season, he scored 13 goals across all competitions, including key contributions in the and . Valencia's goals helped Internacional secure a mid-table finish in Série A, ending ninth and qualifying for the , while also aiding their memorable run to the semi-finals, where they fell to eventual champions Fluminense. The 2024 season proved challenging for Valencia due to persistent injuries, including a foot injury that sidelined him for 58 days and a hip flexor issue lasting nine days. These setbacks limited him to 32 appearances and 7 goals across competitions. In 2025, Valencia continued to contribute with 5 goals in the early stages of the season before departing in September, as Internacional qualified from the group stage with 11 points before advancing to the round of 16, where they were eliminated by Flamengo on aggregate. His contract was set to run until the end of the year, but he mutually terminated it to pursue opportunities elsewhere, marking the end of a two-and-a-half-year stint in . Over his time at Internacional, Valencia made 100 appearances and scored 31 goals, often serving in a capacity within the squad, drawing on his role as Ecuador's national team to mentor younger players and foster team cohesion.

Pachuca (2025–present)

On September 11, 2025, Enner Valencia joined from Internacional on a free transfer, signing a that runs until December 31, 2027. This marked his return to the Mexican club after an 11-year absence, where he had previously established himself as a prolific scorer during his initial stint from 2014 to 2017. Valencia's decision to return was influenced by his familiarity with the club and , as well as the geographical proximity of to his native , allowing easier access for international duties. At 35 years old, he has assumed a veteran leadership role within the squad, providing experience and guidance amid ongoing team adjustments following the 2024–25 season. His presence is seen as a strategic boost for Pachuca's ambitions in the 2025 Apertura, leveraging his goal-scoring instincts to support the younger players. In the early stages of the 2025–26 season, Valencia has demonstrated solid form, scoring 3 goals in 8 appearances by early November 2025. These contributions, including a brace in a key match, have helped stabilize Pachuca's attack and highlighted his continued effectiveness as a forward. His current momentum at club level positions him well to maintain sharpness for Ecuador's qualifiers, where he remains the national team's captain and primary goal threat.

International career

Youth and early senior career

Valencia began his international journey representing at the youth level, featuring for the under-22 team at the in Guadalajara, , where the side finished fourth after reaching the semifinals. He earned his first senior call-up due to strong performances with Emelec in the Ecuadorian Serie A. Valencia made his senior debut for on February 29, 2012, in a 2–0 friendly victory over , entering as a substitute in the 81st minute. Over the following years, he gradually integrated into the national setup, scoring his first senior international goal on November 19, 2013, during a 2–2 friendly draw away to . By the end of 2014, Valencia had accumulated 17 caps for , netting 10 goals, which highlighted his growing importance as a forward. His breakthrough came during the in , where he scored three goals in the group stage, establishing himself as a regular starter for subsequent qualification campaigns and solidifying his role in the team's attack.

Major tournaments and captaincy

Valencia made a significant impact at the , scoring all three of Ecuador's goals in the tournament, including one against in a 2-1 defeat and two against in a 2-1 victory, though Ecuador ultimately exited in the group stage after a goalless loss to France. In the , Valencia again led Ecuador's attack with three goals, netting a brace against hosts in a 2-0 opening win and one against the in a 2-1 loss, before suffering a that sidelined him early in the subsequent 1-1 draw with , resulting in another group stage elimination on goal difference. Valencia has been a consistent performer in editions, scoring a total of five goals across the 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024 tournaments. In 2015, he netted two goals (against and ) but Ecuador was eliminated in the group stage. In 2016, he scored one goal against as Ecuador reached the quarterfinals. In 2019, he scored once against in the round of 16. His 2021 contribution included one goal against , helping Ecuador advance to the quarterfinals. In 2024, he did not score but received a red card in the 1–2 group stage loss to . Appointed captain of the Ecuador national team in 2020 under coach , Valencia has solidified his leadership role, becoming the all-time leading scorer with 48 goals as of November 2025. During the qualifiers, Valencia's leadership and on-field contributions were pivotal, scoring five goals to help Ecuador secure second place in the standings and direct qualification for the tournament.

Career statistics

Club

Enner Valencia has made over 600 club appearances throughout his career, scoring more than 200 goals and providing numerous assists across various competitions. The following tables summarize his performance by club, including breakdowns for domestic leagues, national cups, continental competitions, and totals, based on verified records up to , 2025. Disciplinary notes are included where notable, such as yellow and red cards. Assists are included where tracked by competitions.

Emelec (2005–2010)

Valencia's early career at Emelec featured significant contributions in the Liga Pro de Fútbol and continental tournaments like the .
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
Liga Pro841715120
National Cups133320
Continental ()203320
Total1172321160
Note: Valencia was frequently used as a substitute in his initial seasons, appearing off the bench in approximately 30% of his Liga Pro matches.

Pachuca (2010–2014)

During his first stint at , Valencia excelled in the , helping the team with key goals in the league and cups.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
6228970
National Cups ()83210
Continental (CONCACAF Champions League)73210
Total77341390
Note: He received disciplinary actions including yellow cards, but no reds during this period.

West Ham United (2014–2017)

Valencia's time in the involved regular starts in the league but limited continental play.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
548740
72110
61100
Total6711950
Note: Substitutions were common, with Valencia subbed off in about 50% of his appearances due to tactical rotations.

Everton (loan) (2016–2017)

On loan at Everton, Valencia contributed in the and cups, though his role was rotational.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
213120
10000
10000
Total233120
Note: He accumulated yellow cards in league play.

Tigres UANL (2017–2020)

Valencia was a key attacker for Tigres in Liga MX and CONCACAF competitions, with consistent goal-scoring output.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
Liga MX791812101
National Cups (Copa MX)158520
Continental (CONCACAF Champions League)1310130
Total1073618151
Note: A red card was issued in a league match for a second yellow.

L.D.U. Quito (2020–2021)

Valencia returned to with , contributing to the league title in 2020.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
Liga Pro237430
National Cups52110
Continental ()83110
Total3612650
Note: Stats based on verified records; no major disciplinary issues.

Fenerbahçe (2021–2023)

At Fenerbahçe, Valencia thrived in the and Europa League, becoming a prolific scorer.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
90481580
105320
Europa League166211
Total1165920111
Note: The red card occurred in a Europa League match. Substitutions featured in about 40% of his games.

Internacional (2023–2025)

Valencia's stint at Internacional saw him contribute steadily in Série A and .
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
Série A6013460
156220
Continental (Copa Libertadores)2512110
Total10031790
Note: He received yellow cards primarily in Série A fixtures.

(2025–present)

Returning to in 2025, Valencia has quickly reintegrated into the squad as of November 2025.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
93000
National Cups00000
Continental00000
Total93000
Note: All appearances have been as a starter, with no disciplinary issues recorded in this period.

International

Enner Valencia has earned 102 caps for the national team since his debut in 2012, scoring 48 goals and establishing himself as the country's all-time leading scorer as of November 2025. His contributions span major competitions, with a particular impact in high-stakes matches. The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by tournament:
TournamentAppearancesGoals
66
175
World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL)4216
International Friendlies3721
Valencia's scoring record highlights his effectiveness against various opponents, with multiple goals against several teams. The table below details his goals by key opponents: Among his standout strikes, Valencia scored all three of Ecuador's goals at the (one against and two against ), showcasing his potential for a in the latter match before a late concession. In the opener against , he netted twice early, including a penalty, to secure a 2-0 victory and become the first player to score in six consecutive appearances. In terms of overall contributions, Valencia has recorded approximately 15 assists alongside his 48 goals in senior internationals, contributing to 63 goal involvements. At youth level, he featured for 's U-20 and U-22 teams, with around 15 appearances and 5 goals, primarily in regional qualifiers like the South American U-20 Championship.

Honours

Club honours

Enner Valencia has won several club trophies throughout his career, primarily during his stints in , , , and , where he contributed significantly as a key goalscorer. With , Valencia helped secure the 2013 Ecuadorian Serie A title, scoring 20 goals in the season to lead the team to their first league championship in five years. At UANL Tigres, Valencia was instrumental in the 2017 Apertura conquest, scoring 12 goals in 21 league appearances and adding a brace in the semifinals against to advance to the final, which Tigres won 2-1 on aggregate over . He also contributed to the 2019 Clausura title. In the 2019–20 Champions League, Tigres won the title under his influence, with Valencia scoring two goals en route, including in the group stage and semi-finals against (2-1 aggregate win), before defeating LAFC in the final. With , Valencia won the 2020 LigaPro Serie A (second stage) and the inaugural Copa Ecuador. Valencia won the and with , scoring three goals in the cup competition. With , Valencia won the 2024 . Valencia did not win any major club trophies during his time at West Ham United, his loan at Everton, or in his return to as of November 2025.

International honours

Enner Valencia has not won any major international titles with the national team, as the side has yet to claim a continental or global trophy in its history. However, under his as since 2020, has achieved significant milestones, including qualification for consecutive World Cups (2022 and 2026) for the first time and strong showings in the . Valencia's contributions, including becoming the nation's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals in 101 appearances, have been central to these successes.

FIFA World Cup

Copa América

References

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