World Cup South Africa 2010

Favorite Players by Country (Germany 2006)

Group A - Ecuador:

Agustín Delgado

Place of Birth: Imbabura, Ecuador
Date of Birth: December 23rd, 1974
Position: Center forward
Clubs: Barcelona SC, Nacional, Cruz Azul, Necaxa, Southampton, Aucas, UNAM Pumas

Agustín Delgado is an Ecuadorian football player. He plays center forward for Barcelona SC in the Ecuadorian Torneo Clausura 2005 as well as in the national football team, where he surpassed Eduardo Hurtado as top scorer in 2002.

He had a brief spell in the Barclays Premier League with disastrous results. He barely played and spent most of the time unqualified to play. Southampton F.C. tried to bring him back to fitness after the injury he picked up during the WC 2002 Qualifiers. The pressure on him to play was enormous, Ecuadoreans believed him to be indispensable, plus naturally, he dreamed of playing in a world cup. All that led to his decision -playing with an injury while heavily medicated on painkillers- that effectively destroyed his future in Europe. Upon return to England, it was found that his injury had become chronic. It may even be said that he is not the same striker anymore.

After the Southampton saga, he promptly went to Mexico. This brought the end
to a disappointing time for Delgado although this was considered best for both parties. Delagado did leave a memorable event for the fans of Southampton. He scored the winning goal for Southampton in a 3-2 home victory over the then Premiership champions Arsenal. He memorably remarked on leaving the club that he would be, 'Dancing in the Streets' with the clubs fans the day Southampton won the Premiership.

Delgado scored a goal at the 2002 World Cup, the first goal for the Ecuadorian team in a World Cup against Mexico. Delgado was also the top scorer (with Hernán Crespo) in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the tournament, with nine goals.

Delgado is known for being a strong although rather slow player, equally apt in offense and defense, ready to score in all the matches. He is also known for his air ability. However, critics point out that he is a bit of a "tweener", his shooting just not good enough as well as his finesse.

However, as of 2005, he is one of the prime Ecuadorian sports icons and the joint top scorer of the Ecuadorian national team that reached the 2006 World Cup in Germany.