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One of the most revered soccer players in South America,
Alex Aguinaga is the inspirational team leader Ecuador
as the tiny nation competes at its first World Cup.
Ecuador's unquestioned leader on the field, Aguinaga
has used his great technical skills and uncanny intuition
for finding his teammates on the pitch to earn a reputation
as one of the world's great playmakers and best all-around
players. He's also revered in his homeland for his humble
dignity on and off the field.
As Ecuador's long-time captain, Aguinaga has finally
earned a chance to showcase his talent and skill on
soccer's biggest platform as he approaches his 34th
birthday. He'll also play the mentor to young offensive
talents like Agustin Delgado and Ivan Kaviedes, who
represent the future of Ecuadorian soccer.
Born July 9, 1968, Aguinaga made his pro debut at age
16 for local side Deportivo Quito. His influence on
the field was tremendous, as he led the club to two
very impressive second-place finishes in the Ecuadorian
league.
After five seasons with in Ecuador, he left for the
greener pastures, signing with Mexican club Necaxa in
1989. Soon, the quiet, talented man from Ecuador would
become more famous. Soccer-mad Mexico witnessed his
brilliant playmaking skills first-hand, and Aguinaga
quickly established himself one of the top stars on
the Mexican first division and was named the league's
best foreign player of the 1990s.
He led Necaxa to back-to-back first league titles in
1994 and 1995, and helped the club win its third league
championship of the decade in 1998.
His greatest success on the international level came
in 1993 when he helped Ecuador reach the semi-finals
of the Copa America tournament.
After failing to qualify for USA '94 and France '98,
Ecuador qualified for its first World Cup in Japan and
South Korea, finishing in second place in South American
qualification behind Argentina and fuelling the hopes
of a nation that has waited decades for a World Cup
team. Ecuador's improbable run in reaching the finals
was largely orchestrated by the savvy Aguinaga, who
led by example on the field.
Now, as he leads Ecuador against the likes of Italy,
Croatia and Mexico in Group G, Aguinaga has a chance
to close out his international career on a high note
on the biggest stage.
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