Aguinaga - pulls the strings for Ecuador. (Allsport)
ALEX AGUINAGA
Position: Midfielder
Born: 07.09.68
Club: Necaxa
Alex Aguinaga is so important to Ecuador that many people feel if he doesn't play well, neither does the team.
Aguinaga is the puppeteer in midfield - the man who pulls the strings to allow the likes of Agustin Delgado and Ivan Kaviedes to grab the goals.
He made his debut as a 16-year-old for Sport Quito and made his international bow just two years later against Paraguay.
Since then he has gone on to become arguably Ecuador's greatest-ever player.
His transfer to Necaxa in 1989 brought him to a wider public and after 12 seasons there he will surely see this summer's World Cup as his international swansong.
Nevertheless, Aguinaga will be looking to stamp his authority on the midfield battles as he did so effectively during qualifying, where Ecuador only finished behind Argentina.
The legs and body may be ageing, but there's life in Aguinaga yet.
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