Iván Hurtado

Iván Hurtado's place in football history is secured not by trophies alone but by his extraordinary international career. His 168 caps for Ecuador stood as a South American record for years, and he remains among the top 17 most capped international players of all time.He was a pioneer for Ecuadorian football, helping the nation qualify for its first World Cup in 2002 and again in 2006. His leadership and consistency over 22 years set a standard that few can match, and his record was only equaled by Lionel Messi in 2025, a testament to its difficulty.