Antonio Valencia - A star has risen

On June 30, 2009, Antonio Valencia signed for Manchester United. I, along with many other United fans around the globe, didn’t really think of him much. It was a time when we were still reeling from the loss of our beloved Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. His transfer created a huge hole in our team and in our hearts too; a hole we never thought a relatively unknown player would, let alone wear the great player’s jersey. However as its often said, Sir Alex pulled off a coup in signing the burly Ecuadorian.

What followed was not as eye catching as CR7 but you had to admit, he did have pace and a penchant for driving pin-point crosses into the box. However, two injury ravaged seasons didn’t allow the world to see this talented winger in action.

Last season was one in which the Premier League sat up and noticed him. The lung bursting runs along the right wing that left defenders in his wake and then unleashing bullet like crosses into the box for the waiting Wayne Rooney or Javier Hernandez were really his trademark. An old fashioned winger who didn’t drift in much, prefering to run along the side line, Valencia chipped in with six goals and 13 assists, with only David Silva above him having provided 15 assists in far more game time.

A season were he strived to realise his potential and worked tirelessly for his team was justly rewarded Manchester United fans’ and players’ Player of the Year award and the award for Goal of the Season, for his goal against Blackburn Rovers.

The only weakness I considered in Valencia was that he hardly used his left leg in his game. However, watching him cross with his left leg in United’s last match against Fulham heartened me and settled my mind.

A player who really deserves to be where he is today, the 27 year old Ecuadorian can go ahead and establish himself as a legend at the biggest club in the world. Not too much to ask from him, I believe, as he wears the jersey number worn by numerous legends.