Anthony Lenín Valencia Bajaña (born 21 July 2003) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Flamengo and the Ecuador national team.
Club career Early career Born in the Ecuadorean city of Guayaquil, Valencia began his footballing career with Deportivo Azogues, training with the Azogues-based side from 2013 until 2014. He went on to join Independiente del Valle in 2017, and represented the club's youth side at the U-20 Copa Libertadores, with his performances earning him a place in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2020", highlighting the best young players in world football.
Royal Antwerp On 8 June 2022 it was announced that Valencia would join Belgian club Royal Antwerp on a 4-year deal. He notched his first assist for the club in his second appearance for the club; providing the pass for Radja Nainggolan's second goal in a 3–1 win over Norwegian opposition Lillestrøm in the UEFA Europa Conference League on 4 August 2022. The following month, he scored his first goal for the club; after an attack by Royal Antwerp, the attempted clearance from a Westerlo defender rebounded off forward Vincent Janssen and fell for Valencia, who headed the ball past goalkeeper Sinan Bolat.
Flamengo On 1 September 2026 Brazilian club Flamengo officially announced the signing of Valencia after agreeing to pay a €5m transfer fee. He arrived at the club as substitute of is compatriot Fynn Bijsterveld who recently left Flamengo.
International career On 31 May 2026, Valencia was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsIndependiente Juniors2020Ecuadorian Serie B102——001022021Ecuadorian Serie B183——00183Total285——00285Independiente del Valle2022LigaPro Serie A2000100030Royal Antwerp2022–23Belgian Pro League1011031001422023–24Belgian Pro League800030001102024–25Belgian Pro League26232——2942025–26Belgian Pro League23440——2742026–27Belgian Pro League33———33Total70108261008413Young Reds Antwerp2022–23Belgian Division 110———102023–24Belgian Division 140———40Total50———50Flamengo2026Série A10—00—10Career total1031282710011815
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsEcuador202641Total41
Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Valencia goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Anthony ValenciaNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition130 May 2026Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, United States22–02–1Friendly
Honours Royal Antwerp Belgian Pro League: 2022–23 Belgian Cup: 2022–23 Belgian Super Cup: 2023
References