Position: Midfielder
Born: 16.03.79
Club: Deportivo Quito

Edison Mendez is a talented and versatile player who was crucial in Ecuador's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Primarily a central attacking midfielder, although he can play on either wing and even at full-back, when he is played in his preferred role he is capable of scoring important goals as he showed at the last World Cup.

He scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Croatia in the final group match that ensured Ecuador could return home proud of their performance.

Their impressive defeat of Brazil in qualifying also came courtesy of a Mendez strike, and he scored other important goals along the way.

Mendez plays his club football in Ecuador for Deportivo Quito, but he has also had spells at Mexican side Irapuato and Brazilian giants Santos.