Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Enner Valencia

How Enner Valencia built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Enner Valencia is an Ecuadorian professional footballer, currently playing as a forward for Liga MX club Pachuca. He is also the captain of the Ecuador national team. A key player for his nation, Valencia is known for his goal-scoring ability and leadership on the field. He has represented Ecuador in major international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, becoming a significant figure in Ecuadorian football history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2002: Emelec's League Title

In 2002, the league title was Emelec's first since 2002. Valencia finished the 2013 season as league champions with Emelec.

2008: Transferred to Emelec

In 2008, Enner Valencia was transferred to Emelec after trialing from Caribe Junior's youth system in Guayaquil.

2010: Playtime Opportunities with Emelec

In 2010, with the arrival of coach Jorge Sampaoli, Valencia started to receive playtime opportunities with Emelec.

2011: Played for Under-22 Team

In 2011, Valencia played for Ecuador's under-22 team at the Pan American Games.

2011: Nine League Goals

In 2011, Valencia scored nine league goals in 30 league matches for Emelec.

February 2012: Debut for Ecuador

On February 12, 2012, Valencia made his debut for Ecuador in a friendly against Honduras.

November 2012: Scoring Streak

In November 2012, Valencia scored five goals in five separate matches against El Nacional, LDU Loja, Técnico Universitario, and twice against Manta.

2012: International Debut for Ecuador

In 2012, Valencia made his international debut for Ecuador.

August 2013: First Career Hat-Trick

On August 7, 2013, Valencia scored his first career hat-trick against Sport Huancayo in a Copa Sudamericana match.

November 2013: First International Goal

In November 2013, Valencia scored his first international goal in a 2–2 draw against Honduras.

2013: Emelec Serie A Title and Copa Sudamericana Golden Boot

In 2013, Valencia won the Ecuadorian Serie A title with Emelec and was awarded the Copa Sudamericana Golden Boot.

January 2014: First Goal for Pachuca

In January 2014, Valencia scored his first goal in a 2–1 victory against Tijuana, and scored two goals the following week against Club León.

June 2014: Named in World Cup Squad

In June 2014, Valencia was named in Ecuador's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

July 2014: Joins West Ham United

In July 2014, Valencia joined West Ham United for an estimated £12 million.

August 2014: West Ham Debut

On August 16, 2014, Valencia made his West Ham debut in a 1–0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. On August 27, his penalty was saved in a League Cup match against Sheffield United.

September 2014: First Goal for West Ham

In September 2014, Valencia scored his first goal for West Ham against Hull City in a 2–2 draw.

2014: Continued Good Form

In 2014, Valencia continued his good form, scoring in three of Ecuador's four pre-tournament friendlies, including a goal and assist against Australia on March 5.

2014: FIFA World Cup Representation

In 2014, Valencia represented Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup.

2015: Copa América Representation

In 2015, Valencia represented Ecuador at the Copa América.

2015: Copa América Penalty and Goal

In 2015, during Ecuador's second group match at the Copa América in Chile, Valencia scored from close range against Bolivia after having a penalty saved. He later set up Miller Bolaños' opener and scored in a 2-1 win against Mexico.

January 2016: First League Goals of the Season

On January 12, 2016, Valencia scored his first league goals of the season with two in a 3–1 win against AFC Bournemouth.

August 2016: Loan to Everton

In August 2016, Valencia went out on loan to Everton for the season.

August 2016: Signs for Everton on Loan

On August 31, 2016, Valencia signed for Everton on a season-long loan.

2016: Copa América Representation

In 2016, Valencia represented Ecuador at the Copa América.

January 2017: First League Goal for Everton

On January 2, 2017, Valencia scored his first league goal for Everton in a 3–0 win against Southampton.

July 2017: Sold to Tigres UANL

In July 2017, Valencia was sold to Mexican club Tigres UANL.

2019: Copa América Representation

In 2019, Valencia represented Ecuador at the Copa América.

2019: Liga MX Title and CONCACAF Champions League Golden Boot

In 2019, Valencia won the Liga MX Clausura tournament and the CONCACAF Champions League Golden Boot with Tigres UANL.

August 2020: Signs for Fenerbahçe

In August 2020, Valencia signed for Fenerbahçe in Turkey.

August 2021: First Hat-Trick with Fenerbahçe

On August 26, 2021, Valencia scored his first hat-trick with Fenerbahçe against HJK Helsinki in the UEFA Europa League season.

October 2021: Ecuador's All-Time Top Goal Scorer

On October 8, 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.

2021: Copa América Representation

In 2021, Valencia represented Ecuador at the Copa América.

October 2022: First League Hat-Trick

On October 9, 2022, Valencia scored his first hat-trick in a league match against Karagümrük in the Süper Lig season.

November 2022: World Cup Goals

In November 2022, at the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Valencia scored the first goal of the tournament with a penalty. He scored both of Ecuador's goals in their 2–0 win against Qatar, becoming Ecuador's record goalscorer at World Cup final tournaments with five goals. On 25 November 2022, Valencia scored in a 1–1 tie against the Netherlands, becoming the first South American player to score six consecutive times in the World Cup.

2022: FIFA World Cup Representation

In 2022, Valencia represented Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup.

2022: World Cup Qualification Match

On October 8, 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.

2022: Strong Start to the Season

Valencia had a strong start to the 2022–23 season with Fenerbahçe, recording braces against Ümraniyespor, Kasımpaşa and Adana Demirspor in his first three matches.