Valencia ends international career

Enner Valencia, Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, has retired from international football after the team’s World Cup exit against Mexico.

Valencia, 36, had already announced he would not be part of Ecuador’s next World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I’ve played my last match with the national team,” Valencia told reporters. “I said goodbye to everyone [the players and coaching staff] on a very sad day. I didn’t want my farewell to the national team to be like this.”

After reaching the World Cup round of 32 by beating Germany in its last group-stage match, Ecuador crashed out of the tournament with a 2-0 loss to Mexico on Tuesday.

The former West Ham and Everton forward scored 49 goals in 109 matches for Ecuador after making his international debut in 2012.

He is expected to continue his club career with Mexico’s Pachuca, where he remains under contract until December 2027.