Édison Méndez

Édison Vicente Méndez Méndez (; born 16 March 1979) is an Ecuadorian football coach and former player who played as either a winger, second striker or attacking midfielder.

Méndez is a former Ecuador international and is the third-most capped player for his country.

Club career

Deportivo Quito Méndez began his career with Sociedad Deportivo Quito of his native Ecuador. After his 2002 FIFA World Cup performances, during which he scored the winning goal in Ecuador's 1–0 win over Croatia, he was rumored to have attracted interest from English clubs, notably Aston Villa and Everton.

Short spells in Ecuador and Mexico He transferred to Club Irapuato of the Primera División de México for the latter part of the 2004 season, starting 16 games and scoring 5 goals during the remainder of that season. Following Irapuato's relegation the following year, Méndez moved to Santos Laguna, where he struggled to find a place, in 14 games, and scoring 2 goals.

He returned to Ecuador, and was part of the LDU Quito team who won the Ecuadorian Apertura season in 2005.

PSV Eindhoven

In 2006, shortly after the World Cup, there was speculation of a move to the Bundesliga, more specifically Hannover 96. He ended all rumours in August 2006 by signing a one-season loan deal with PSV Eindhoven, which was followed by a contract for three and a half years which would tie him to the Philips Stadion outfit until 2010. He made his debut in the Eredivisie against Willem II, and marked his stamp in his new club by scoring two goals for a 3–1 win. The following week he became the first Ecuadorian to play in the UEFA Champions League and made his debut against Liverpool He was voted Man of the Match in the game.

In March 2007, he became the first Ecuadorian to score in the UEFA Champions League by getting the only goal in the round of 16 match against Arsenal. Mendez, along with fellow midfielders Timmy Simons and veteran Philip Cocu helped PSV reach the quarterfinals.

Mendez's reputation was enhanced when he was among 50 players nominated for the Ballon d'Or-award for the best players in Europe. In Winter 2007, rumors stated that Mendez wanted a move back to Ecuador.

Return to Ecuador On 4 August 2009, Mendez returned to Ecuador for personal reasons to play for his former team LDU Quito. However, there is speculation that he could return to the club for the 2012 season.

Going to Brazil In March, Brazilian club Clube Atlético Mineiro announced Méndez as its new player. The Ecuadorian midfielder started defending his new team after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Independiente Santa Fe On 11 December 2013, it was confirmed that Mendez would join Colombian side Santa Fe.

Return to El Nacional On 7 January 2015, it was confirmed that would Méndez return to Ecuador to play for El Nacional.

International career Youth Méndez participated at the South American U-20 Championship in Paraguay in 1999, and Olympic qualifying tournament in Brazil in January 2000. Two months later, he was called up to the full squad and made his debut in a 3–1 defeat against Honduras in Quito.

Senior

Méndez played in all three games of Ecuador's 2002 World Cup campaign, scoring the only goal in their final group stage match against Croatia to earn the country a first-ever win at a FIFA World Cup. The victory against Croatia came as a surprise, eliminating the side and sealing Méndez's reputation as a star. Aged just 23, he was seen by many to be the promise of Ecuadorian football and gained interest from many clubs.

Méndez scored five goals during 2006 World Cup qualification, including a dazzling double from long range against Paraguay in 2005, helping Ecuador to a 5–2 win in Quito on the way to ultimately securing a spot at the final tournament in Germany.

Méndez again played throughout his team's historic 2006 World Cup campaign, which culminated in a 1–0 defeat to England in the round of 16. He was credited with two assists across the tournament.

Méndez then played for Ecuador at the 2007 Copa América, scoring a consolation goal against Mexico in a 2–1 loss as his side were eliminated in the group stage. On 26 February 2008, Mendez announced his retirement from the national team, to the surprise of most Ecuadorians and the Latin American world. He stated that one of the reasons for his early retirement was dissatisfaction with newly appointed Ecuador coach Sixto Vizuete. However, on 12 May 2008, Méndez announced his return to the national team, after a meeting with Vizuete and the FEF president, Luis Chiriboga, in which they reportedly solved the differences and misunderstandings the parties had.

Méndez was part of Ecuador's squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but only played in the final eight minutes of his side's second match against Honduras; this made him the first Ecuadorian to feature at three different FIFA World Cup tournaments. On 30 June 2014, following Ecuador's elimination, Méndez announced his retirement from the national team, ending with a total of 111 caps and 18 goals across a span of fourteen years for his country.

Playing style

He is known for his pace, accurate passing and long range shooting. He is also known as a dead-ball specialist, and generally takes free kicks and corners for his country and club. While he is right-footed, he can play on either wing as well as in the middle.

Personal life Méndez was born in Ibarra.

His nephew is fellow professional footballer and Ecuadorean international player Sebas Méndez.

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Méndez goal.

Honours LDU Quito Serie A: 2005 Apertura, 2010 Copa Sudamericana: 2009

PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie: 2006–07, 2007–08