Moises Caicedo once revealed how former Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia inspired his journey to the top of English football, with the Chelsea midfielder even choosing his shirt number in tribute to his Ecuadorian compatriot.
Caicedo, now one of the Premier League's leading midfielders, grew up watching Valencia establish himself in England, first with Wigan Athletic and then at Old Trafford.
The influence went beyond admiration. Caicedo wears the number 25 shirt, the same number Valencia made famous during his time at Manchester United.
For the Chelsea star, it is a reminder of the player who helped him believe that he, too, could make his mark on the biggest stage.
Antonio Valencia: The Ecuadorian who paved the way
Before Caicedo became a household name in English football, Valencia was already flying the flag for Ecuador in the Premier League.
Valencia arrived in England in 2006, joining Wigan Athletic on loan from Villarreal before making the move permanent. His performances at the DW Stadium earned him a transfer to Manchester United in 2009, where he would go on to become one of Sir Alex Ferguson's trusted players.
Initially a winger, Valencia developed into a versatile and dependable presence for United, winning two Premier League titles and captaining the club before leaving in 2019.
His success made him a role model for a generation of Ecuadorian footballers, including Caicedo.
Speaking to AS, the Chelsea midfielder explained just how important Valencia had been to his development.
"I've always said it, I have several idols. First, I can mention Antonio Valencia because he was my inspiration for getting where I am today, and also because of everything he achieved in his career."
That admiration is reflected in his choice of shirt number. Caicedo has explained that he selected number 25 in honour of Valencia, carrying a piece of his childhood inspiration with him onto the pitch
Valencia subsequently acknowledged the tribute, thanking Caicedo for his affection and respect and encouraging him to continue inspiring the next generation.
From Brighton prospect to Chelsea star
While Valencia's journey took him from Wigan to Manchester United, Caicedo has carved out his own path through English football.
After developing at Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle, Caicedo joined Brighton & Hove Albion in February 2021. His early years in Europe were not without difficulties, including a loan spell in Belgium, but he eventually established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting young midfielders.
His performances attracted significant interest before Chelsea secured his signature in 2023 in a deal worth an initial £100 million, potentially rising to £115 million.
The move represented a huge step forward for the Ecuadorian, who had gone from a promising young talent to a key player at one of England's biggest clubs.
Caicedo has since become central to Chelsea's midfield, combining aggressive ball-winning with the ability to progress possession and support attacks.
He has also made no secret of how much reaching this level means to him.
Reflecting on his childhood ambitions, Caicedo explained that playing for a club such as Chelsea had always been his dream.
"To be honest, my dream was always to play in the Premier League for one of the biggest clubs in the world, like Chelsea. Now I'm here. It's like a dream come true because I always prayed for this moment, and now I try to enjoy every moment."
It is a journey that mirrors the ambition Valencia once represented for him, although Caicedo is now creating a legacy of his own.
From striker to midfield powerhouse
Caicedo's development was not simply about following the right role models. He also had to discover where his own qualities could make the biggest difference.
The Chelsea midfielder revealed that he started out as a striker when he was young, initially enjoying the opportunity to score goals.
However, his natural defensive instincts soon became apparent.
"I scored goals, but not that many. It was nice to play as a striker and score goals, but I was defending more than I was scoring. That's why I preferred to change my position."
The switch helped shape the player supporters recognise today: a midfielder capable of breaking up opposition attacks, winning duels and protecting his defence, while also contributing to his team's build-up play.
It is an important part of what makes Caicedo so valuable to Chelsea. His defensive awareness is not simply something he has developed at the highest level; it was a characteristic that emerged during his earliest years in football.
That instinct has since become one of his defining strengths.
The midfield greats who shaped Caicedo's game
Valencia was the inspiration behind Caicedo's journey, but the midfielder has also studied some of the greatest players to have occupied his position.
He named N'Golo Kanté, Claude Makélélé and Paul Pogba among his midfield role models, explaining that he paid close attention to the qualities that made them world-class players.
"Now, thinking more about my position, Kanté, Makélélé and Pogba. Those are my role models. I paid close attention to them to become the player they are, because the level they showed made them among the best in the world. I want to follow that path and do my best."
The choices reflect the different elements of Caicedo's game.
Kanté and Makélélé built their reputations on their defensive intelligence, positioning and ability to disrupt opponents, while Pogba offered a different model through his physical presence, passing range and technical ability.
Caicedo's game draws on several of those qualities. He can protect the defence, compete physically in midfield and help his team move the ball forward.
Rather than attempting to replicate one player, he has taken inspiration from several different styles to develop his own identity.
An inspiration for Ecuador's next generation
Valencia's influence on Caicedo is a reminder of how one player's success can shape the ambitions of those who follow.
When Valencia was making his name at Wigan and Manchester United, he was helping demonstrate what Ecuadorian footballers could achieve in England.
Now Caicedo has reached the Premier League's biggest stage himself, wearing the same number as the player who inspired him as a youngster.
His journey has included a change of position, the challenge of establishing himself in Europe and a major move to Chelsea. Through it all, Valencia has remained an important reference point.
Caicedo is now looking to write his own chapter in Chelsea's history, with the ambition of becoming a club legend.
But the number 25 remains a reminder of where that ambition began.
For the young Ecuadorian who once watched Valencia from afar, following in his footsteps was the dream. Now, Caicedo is building a legacy that could inspire the next generation in exactly the same way.
