Mario Valero

Emelec's crest goes on the shirt of a goalkeeper who spent most of his career outside Ecuadorian football's spotlight. Mario Valero came up through CD Universidad Católica, joining the club's system in 2013 and staying attached to it, with a loan spell at CD América de Quito, through 2019. What followed was a run through smaller sides: Club Atlético Porteño, Imbabura SC and, most recently, Manta FC, before Emelec signed him as a free agent in June 2025 on a contract running to the end of 2026.

For most of that stretch, Valero worked as a squad option rather than a fixture. That changed in 2026, when an injury to Pedro Ortiz opened the door for him to become Emelec's first-choice goalkeeper. It came without warning, through someone else's setback rather than a transfer he asked for.

He has already had to deal with the pressure that comes with the shirt. After a goalless draw with Guayaquil City in August 2026, Valero spoke publicly in support of the club's supporters, a rare moment of him addressing the fans directly rather than letting results speak for him. He has never been capped by Ecuador, and his time on the biggest stages of South American club football remains limited. The coming months will show whether the chance holds.