Antonio Valencia called up by Ecuador for Copa America

The 33-year-old's inclusion has received criticism in some quarters as Valencia has played less than 10 matches in an injury-ravaged season.

Antonio Valencia is the Ecuador captain and has won 94 caps, scoring 11 goals.

A week after his 10-year stay at Manchester United ended, Antonio Valencia was on Monday called up by coach Hernan Dario Gomez to Ecuador's Copa America squad.

The 33-year-old's inclusion has received criticism in some quarters as Valencia has played less than 10 matches in an injury-ravaged season.

“There are players who haven't played much but they are players that you know will be important when they're in the national team,” said Gomez.

“I'm not going to throw out Valencia until he tells me he's quitting.”

Valencia, 33, is the Ecuador captain and has won 94 caps, scoring 11 goals.

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Although he spent the last few years of his Old Trafford career as a right back, Gomez said he sees Valencia as a right winger, the position where he made his name and earned a move to United after a string of sparkling displays at minnows Wigan Athletic.

Ecuador has been drawn in a tough Group C at the Copa America hosted by Brazil, where it will face holders Chile, record 15-time winners Uruguay and guests Japan.

Its first match will be on June 16 against Uruguay in Belo Horzonte.

Ecuador is one of only two of CONMEBOL's 10 member nations never to have won the Copa America, alongside Venezuela.

Its best finishes was fourth in 1959 and 1993, both times as hosts.

Squad Goalkeepers: Alexander Dominguez (Velez Sarfield/ARG), Maximo Banguera (Barcelona), Pedro Ortiz (Delfin) Defenders : Gabriel Achilier (Monarcas Morelia/MEX), Arturo Mina (Yeni Malatyaspor/TUR), Robert Arboleda (Sao Paulo/BRA), Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders/USA), Pedro Velasco (Barcelona), Jose Quintero (Liga de Quito), Cristian Ramirez (FC Krasnodar/RUS), Beder Caicedo (Barcelona) Midfielders: Jefferson Intriago (Liga de Quito), Jefferson Orejuela (Liga de Quito), Jhegson Mendez (Orlando City/USA), Carlos Gruezo (FC Dallas/USA), Andres Chicaiza (Liga de Quito), Renato Ibarra (America/MEX), Antonio Valencia (no team), Romario Ibarra (Minnesota United/USA), Ayrton Preciado (Santos Laguna/MEX) Forwards: Enner Valencia (Tigres/MEX), Angel Mena (Club Leon/MEX), Carlos Garces (Delfin)