Where Does Enner Valencia Play? Ecuador Striker’s Career Path After the English Premier League
Enner Valencia remains one of Ecuador’s most important football figures as he prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now 36 years old, the veteran striker continues to lead Ecuador’s attack and is still chasing major goals for his country on the biggest stage. Valencia has built a remarkable international career, earning 105 senior caps for Ecuador and scoring 49 goals, both marks that underline his status as a national icon.
Valencia is taking part in his third World Cup, after previously representing Ecuador in 2014 and 2022. He has also appeared in five Copa América tournaments, giving him extensive experience in major international competition. His 49 goals are the most ever scored by a player for Ecuador, and he enters the 2026 tournament with six World Cup goals, also the highest total for any Ecuadorian player in the competition’s history.
Although his club career has changed significantly since his earlier days in England, Valencia continues to contribute in front of goal. He is currently playing for Pachuca in Mexico’s Liga MX, having joined the club in 2025. Since arriving, he has played 22 matches and scored eight goals, showing that he still has an impact despite being in the latter stage of his career.
Valencia’s route to Pachuca followed a long and varied club journey across several major leagues. He made his name in English football with West Ham United, where he played from 2014 to 2017. During that period, he also had a loan spell at Everton, further cementing his Premier League experience. After leaving England, Valencia moved to Mexico to play for Tigres UANL, where he continued to score regularly.
He later returned to Europe for a spell with Fenerbahce in Turkey, before heading to South America to play for Internacional in Brazil from 2023 to 2025. His move back to Mexico with Pachuca marked the latest chapter in a career that has taken him across England, Mexico, Turkey, and Brazil. Despite the changes in league and location, Valencia has remained a dependable goal scorer.
As Ecuador approaches the 2026 World Cup, Valencia’s experience, leadership, and finishing ability remain vital to the team’s hopes. Even with the end of his career drawing closer, he continues to be a central figure for his country, carrying the weight of Ecuador’s attacking ambitions and hoping to add to his already historic international record.
