Once Manchester United has played a classic combination of "left and right", two winger-born players qi Qi was transformed by the manager, the more he kicked, the effect was surprising, becoming the golden oil of the side, each defending one side, both offensive and defensive. However, this classic combination has become a masterpiece as Antonio Valencia has aged.
Antonio Valencia announced his retirement on social media on May 13, ending an 18-year career. Antonio Valencia played for seven teams in his career, but the former United captain left most of his retirement manifesto to manchester United, the favourite of his life, leaving a letter to the United fans:
"To manchester United fans: When I was 14 years old and a child, I left my family, my village and my teammates to come to the capital of my home country, and I greeted new hope with sadness. A few years later, I came to Europe, something I never thought possible, I settled in Spain and then came to my second home , England. Wigan Athletic was a unique opportunity, and right after God gave me the chance to join Manchester United, I will never forget everything that happened at Old Trafford, all the goals, all the trophies and the fantastic fans. ”
"I didn't think this moment would come so quickly, but my body forced me to make this decision and I hereby announce the end of my football career. I would like to thank all the people who have appeared in my career and in my life, God is the first, He has always cared for me, Mrs. Zolila and daughter Domenik have always been my pillars, thank you to my parents for everything they have done for me, and finally for the fans of all countries. I have always dedicated my best and thank all for their love and support. ”
Antonio Valencia's family was poor, once a little boy picking up water bottles on the street, and had no extra money to buy sneakers. At the age of 11, Antonio Valencia played football in a bad place near his home and was caught in the scouting, which changed his life ever since. He joined a soccer school run by the local FA, trained for soccer, and by the age of 16 switched to El Nacional, earning just $50 a month.
By 2003, Antonio Valencia debuted in Ecuadorian National and two years later won the league with the team, successfully attracting the attention of the national team and the Spanish team. He moved to Villarreal in La Liga in 2005, failed to make it to the first team, and was then loaned to Recreativo in La Liga to accumulate experience and help the team to upgrade, and then Wigan Athletic, who was loaned to the Premier League, was also deeply used, and was bought out by Wigan Athletic after a season and a half, and began his path to fame. Antonio Valencia has received a lot of attention from the major powers in terms of his regular seat in both the team and the national team, and the manager at the time said that he had received an offer from Real Madrid for Antonio Valencia, but he refused.
By 2009, Antonio Valencia joined Manchester United, becoming United's first acquisition of the summer. He has just joined the team and has been firmly on the right wing of Manchester United, but missed most of the matches due to injury in the second season. Antonio Valencia was still heavily valued after his comeback, occasionally making cameos as right-backs, making him the team's perfect choice on the right, and after Louis van Gaal took charge of Manchester United, Antonio Valencia was officially transformed into a right-winger. By the 17/18 season, Michael Carrick, who had originally taken over the captain's armband from Wayne Rooney, was out of the line of fire due to heart problems, and Antonio Valencia took on the responsibility of captain from time to time, and then officially became the captain of Manchester United under Jose Mourinho in the following season.
However, Antonio Valencia was deeply troubled later, and he put on the Manchester United shirt at home on 12 May 2019 to say goodbye to the fans, while he only played at Manchester United 9 times this season. Summing up his decade at Old Trafford, Antonio Valencia played 339 games for United, scoring 25 goals, helping the team win two Premier League, one Europa League, two League Cups and one FA Cup, and the team's most frequent South American player. After leaving United, Antonio Valencia returned to his homeland and moved to Mexican side Querétaro last November, scoring a goal in 15 games for the team before retiring.
After years of exodus from Europe, Antonio Valencia is Ecuador's top player, having led the team to two World Cups and four Copa America. First drafted for the national team in 2004, he has played for Ecuador 99 times over the years, just one game away from reaching the 100 mark. Even though not Ecuador's goal scorer or champion, Antonio Valencia still has a special place in the minds of Ecuadorians, making the name "Ecuador" known in the Premier League and European football.