Ex-Ecuador coach Rueda backs Valencia for Boca Juniors success

Reinaldo Rueda, who previously coached Ecuador during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, has expressed confidence in Enner Valencia's potential to thrive at Boca Juniors. Rueda, speaking to Radio Super Deportivo in Argentina, described Valencia as a player with "all the technical and tactical arguments" and the intelligence to perform effectively as a lone striker or alongside others.

"He has all the attributes to succeed in an enviable and unique scenario," Rueda stated, wishing the Ecuadorian forward success and a goal-filled immediate impact. He further elaborated on Valencia's strengths, including his commitment, explosiveness, aerial ability, opportunity seeking, teamwork, ball control, and scoring capacity.

Rueda's connection with Valencia dates back to his early career. He recalled calling Valencia up for his debut with the Ecuadorian national team in 2012 and noted his own foresight in developing Valencia into a forward, despite him initially playing as a right winger for Emelec. "Enner didn't play as a forward at Emelec, he played as a right winger. I projected that he could be a great forward because of the sensitivity I saw in him, his explosiveness, his changes of pace, and his goal-scoring ability," Rueda said.

Valencia recently bid farewell to his former club, Pachuca of Mexico, on August 6, 2024, expressing gratitude for his time there. He is expected to arrive in Buenos Aires on the afternoon of August 7, 2026, with medical examinations planned for the following day before he officially joins the club for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027.