Antonio Valencia remains one of the most successful South American players in Premier League history.
Even though he hung up his boots, fans still talk about his speed and crosses at Old Trafford. The former Manchester United captain focuses on his new role as a club owner in Ecuador.
In this article, you will know Antonio Valencia’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Antonio Valencia’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera |
| Date of Birth | August 4, 1985 |
| Age | 40 |
| Education | El Nacional Academy (Youth) |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 83 kg |
| Turned Pro | 2003 |
| Net Worth | ~$8 Million (Approx.) |
| Salary/Career Earnings | ~$45 Million (Estimated Gross) |
| Wife | Zoila Meneses |
| Instagram Profile | @antoniovalencia2525 |
| Twitter Profile | @anto_v25 |
Early Career
Antonio Valencia started his football journey in Lago Agrio, Ecuador. He played barefoot on the streets before he joined the youth system of El Nacional. This club is famous because it only signs Ecuadorian players.
He made his professional debut there and quickly showed his amazing speed. His talent caught the eye of European scouts very fast. In 2005, he moved to Spain to play for Villarreal.
However, he found it hard to get game time at Villarreal. The club loaned him to Recreativo de Huelva to help him gain experience. He played well there and helped them win promotion.
His big break came when Wigan Athletic brought him to the English Premier League in 2006. Wigan’s manager, Paul Jewell, trusted him on the right wing. He played three solid seasons for Wigan and proved he could handle the tough English game.
His strong performances at the JJB Stadium attracted attention from the biggest clubs in the world.
Professional Career
Manchester United signed Valencia in the summer of 2009 for about £16 million. He arrived just after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club. Sir Alex Ferguson immediately put him in the starting lineup.
He won the League Cup in his first season and made the PFA Team of the Year. He became known for his incredible pace and his ability to cross the ball perfectly to strikers like Wayne Rooney.
Over the next decade, he became a true club legend. He won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and the Europa League. He even captained the team in his final years. He played 339 games for the Red Devils before he left in 2019.
After United, he returned to Ecuador to play for LDU Quito and then finished his career in Mexico with Querétaro. He officially retired in May 2021. Now, in 2026, he owns his own club, AV25 Club Deportivo, back in Ecuador.
Wife
Antonio Valencia is a dedicated family man. He married his long-time partner, Zoila Meneses. They prefer to keep their private life away from the cameras, so you won’t see them in the tabloids often.
The couple has one daughter named Domenica Valencia. She was born in 2006 during the World Cup in Germany. Valencia often shares pictures of Domenica on his social media, and he calls her his greatest inspiration.
Antonio Valencia’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Antonio Valencia’s net worth at approximately $8 million.
Contract
During his prime at Manchester United, Valencia signed several lucrative contracts. His initial deal in 2009 paid him a standard wage for a new signing. As he became more important to the team, the club rewarded him with better terms.
His final major contract extension with United came in 2017, which kept him at the club until 2019. After he left England, his contracts in Ecuador (LDU Quito) and Mexico (Querétaro) were much smaller compared to his Premier League wages.
Salary
Valencia earned a significant weekly salary. Reports suggest he earned around £100,000 per week during his final years at Manchester United. This translates to roughly £5.2 million per year before taxes.
In his early days at Wigan, his salary was much lower, likely between £15,000 and £20,000 per week. His wages dropped significantly when he moved back to South America, as clubs there operate with smaller budgets than English giants.
Career Earnings
| Year (Season) | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-2010 | Manchester United | £3,600,000 |
| 2010-2011 | Manchester United | £3,600,000 |
| 2011-2012 | Manchester United | £4,100,000 |
| 2012-2013 | Manchester United | £4,100,000 |
| 2013-2014 | Manchester United | £4,100,000 |
| 2014-2015 | Manchester United | £5,200,000 |
| 2015-2016 | Manchester United | £5,200,000 |
| 2016-2017 | Manchester United | £5,200,000 |
| 2017-2018 | Manchester United | £5,200,000 |
| 2018-2019 | Manchester United | £5,200,000 |
| Total | ~£45.5 Million (Gross) |
Endorsements
Antonio Valencia partnered with Nike throughout his professional career and wore their boots during his time at Manchester United. Nike sponsors thousands of football players globally, and Valencia was part of their stable of athletes promoting the brand.
He used Nike Mercurial boots early in his career before switching to Nike Tiempo models later on.
Career Stats
| Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 339 | 25 | 62 |
| Wigan Athletic | 89 | 7 | 11 |
| LDU Quito | 32 | 1 | 4 |
| Querétaro | 15 | 1 | 1 |
| Recreativo Huelva | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Villarreal | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Ecuador (National Team) | 99 | 11 | – |
| Total Career | 588 | 46 | 78+ |
FAQs
1. What does Antonio Valencia?
He currently owns and manages his own football team in Ecuador called AV25 Club Deportivo. He founded the club to help young talents in his home country.
2. Who is Antonio Valencia’s wife?
He is married to Zoila Meneses. They have been together for many years and have a daughter named Domenica. The couple keeps their relationship very private.
3. How many Premier League titles did Valencia win?
He won the Premier League title twice with Manchester United. His victories came in the 2010-2011 season and the 2012-2013 season under Sir Alex Ferguson.
4. When did Antonio Valencia retire from football?
He officially announced his retirement in May 2021. He made this decision after a short spell with the Mexican club Querétaro due to persistent knee issues.
5. Which club did Antonio Valencia join after Man Utd?
He returned to Ecuador to play for LDU Quito. He stayed there for one season before moving to Mexico.
