The news that shocks the Ecuadorian football community

Ecuador's football community is in mourning with the loss of Pedro Pablo Perlaza, a coach and former player who developed talents like Antonio Valencia and Enner Valencia. He passed away on Monday, leaving a legacy that transcends the pitches and remains in several generations of players.

Who was Pedro Pablo Perlaza

Pedro Pablo Perlaza was born on April 17, 1953, in Esmeraldas. He started his career in amateur football with La Unión and later played for Barcelona SC, Carmen Mora, Emelec, Nueve de Octubre, Deportivo Quevedo, and Esmeraldas Petrolero. After hanging up his boots, he found a new vocation in the dugout, coaching Calvi FC and the Zamora Chinchipe selection, which won the Amazon Games in 1995.

His legacy in Ecuadorian football

However, his greatest contribution came out of the spotlight. In the youth divisions of the Sucumbíos Sports Federation, he dedicated years to discovering and developing young talents who would later achieve national and international recognition. Among the players who passed through his formation process are Antonio Valencia, Enner Valencia, Fidel Martínez, Miller Bolaños, and Carlos Orejuela, players who later excelled in the Ecuador national team and foreign leagues.

A reference that is gone

With his passing, Ecuadorian football loses a reference who left a mark both for his football career and his work in developing some of the most important figures in the national football scene. Last result: Mexico 2-0 Ecuador (2026-07-01). Recent form (last 5): 1W-2D-2L (LLWDD, most recent first); lost the last 2.