Antonio Valencia has played 99 international gamesforEcuador. In fact, Valencia made his debut in 2004 as a 19-year-old. Since then, Valencia started a wonderful career for his country, being of themainreferencesof each team, no matter if it was in World Cup, Copa America o Qualifiers game.

Even so, during his first years with Ecuador, he was a very important player as a right back, with lot of skills towards the goal. For example, in a World Cup Qualifiers game against Paraguay, he scored two goals, to pick up the win for La Tricolor. Later that same week, Villarreal signed him.

Why is Antonio Valencia missing the Qatar 2022 World Cup?

Antonio Valencia played his last tournament as an international player for Ecuador in the Copa America 2019, when the tournament was played in Brazil. In that tournament, Ecuador couldn’t qualified for the next stage, and was eliminated in the group stage with zero wins after three games.

Despite he didn’t made any announcements previous to the game against Japan, the 1-1 draw againstin Belo Horizonte, finally was his last game ever with the Ecuador national team. In fact, after that game there was a huge scandal involving him and several other playersthat threw a party inside the hotel they were in for the tournament.

Antonio Valencia played for Ecuador in two World Cup tournaments, in 2006 and 2014. This last one as the captain of the team.Also, Valencia played 4 Copa America tournaments, in which the 2019 edition was his last one.

In fact, many world-class stars have played in MLSsince the league’s first season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry are just some of the big names who have performed in the competition.Javier ChicharitoHernández, who joined Los Angeles Galaxy in early 2020, is the most recent big MLS signing.

That’s why we made this list of soccer starswho could come to Major League Soccer in the future. Some of them even publicly expressed their desire to join the league.

Daniel Sturridge

The Englishstriker, who was a member of the 2019 Liverpoolsquad that clinched the UEFA Champions League trophy last year, is a free-agent player. His contract with Turkey’s Trabzonspor -his last club- was terminated in March 2020.

David Beckham wants the forward to reinforce Inter Miami‘s attack next season. Also, Sturridge said he interested in joining the MLS in the future. However, there are European teams that will try to sign him too.

Luis Suárez

Which team would not like to have Luis Suárez in attack?The Uruguayan striker knows that he is problably living his last season at Barcelona and, as a 33-year-old player, doesn’t look with bad eyes a move to the MLS.

His compatriot Edinson Cavani rejected Inter Miami’s offer to join the team, so Suárez will surely be one of Beckham’snext targets. Even Seattle Sounders’ Nicolás Lodeiro talked in late 2019 about the possibility of seeing Suárez in the MLS in the near future: “(Suárez) wants to come to MLS. He is always asking me about the league. Sooner or later he’ll come to MLS”.

Antonio Valencia

Former Manchester United player Antonio Valencia could also join the MLS in the neat future. Apparently, the Ecuadorian received offers from the Major League Soccer, Argentina and Italy after finishing his contract with Liga de Quito.

However, the MLS would be his favorite choice. Valencia had even talked to his former teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney about the MLS and the possibility of playing there, in 2019.

Gonzalo Higuaín

This could be Gonzalo Higuaín‘s last season at Juventus. The Argentine striker is one of the main targets of many MLS teams for the next transfer window, and a move to the Major League Soccercould be a wise and attractive choice for him.

Los Angeles Galaxy are one of the teams that will try to convince Higuaín to join the club next season. Some rumours also linked the striker with Inter Miami, but DC United seems to be the main competitor, as his brother Federico Higuaín plays for the team.

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli might be one of the most controversial players in the world, but nobody can’t deny his talent. The Italian forward is looking for his best form at Brescia after the competition hiatus and some MLS teams have already asked about his current contract situation.

One of the interested teams are Los Angeles Galaxy, as Balotelli would not extend his contract with Brescia. Rumours have linked the striker to many MLS teams in the past years.It will only be a matter of time to see if he finally decides to join the league.

James Rodríguez

David Beckham wants to build an Inter Miami side capable of fighting for the MLS Cup in the comming seasons, and he is already trying to convince world-class players to join the team. And one of his desires is to sign Colombia’s James Rodríguez.

The attacking midfielder does not have much playing time at Real Madrid and a move to the Major League Soccer would guarantee him a leading role at any team. However, some Premier League sides, such as Manchester United, are also interested in signing the Colombian player for next season.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Let’s get something straight: Cristiano Ronaldo has a contract and will stay with Juventus. However, it doesn’t mean that he could not move to the MLS sometime in the future. The Portuguese superstar is still showing all his scoring abilities every time he plays for the Italian side.

Orlando City starNani, Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate, said there’s a chance to see CR7 in the MLS, as they have talked about that possibility. But the truth is it will not happen any time soon.