Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Gremio v Internacional - Arena do Gremio, Porto Alegre, Brazil- July 10, 2021 Gremio's Ricardinho in action with Internacional's Bruno Mendez REUTERS/Edison Vara 

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Gremio v Internacional - Arena do Gremio, Porto Alegre, Brazil- July 10, 2021 Gremio's Ricardinho in action with Internacional's Bruno Mendez REUTERS/Edison Vara 

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Gremio v Internacional - Arena do Gremio, Porto Alegre, Brazil- July 10, 2021 Gremio's Alisson in action with Internacional's Bruno Mendez REUTERS/Edison Vara 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez sits in a bus with the national soccer team after arriving at the international airport in Porto Alegre, ahead of the 2014 World Cup, June 9, 2014. REUTERS/Edison Vara (BRAZIL - Tags: SOCCER SPORT WORLD CUP)

Ecuador's Edison Mendez controls the ball during their international friendly soccer match against Mexico in Arlington, Texas May 31, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez stands with his team during pre-game festivities before the start of their international friendly soccer match against Mexico in Arlington, Texas May 31, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP HEADSHOT) 

Mexico's Luis Montes (20) celebrates his goal with teammates near Ecuador's Edison Mendez (3rd L) during the first half of their international friendly soccer match in Arlington, Texas May 31, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP) 

Ecuador's soccer player Edison Mendez (3rd L-R), President of Ecuadorean Soccer Federation Luis Chiriboga, Sports Minister Francisco Cevallos, Ecuador's Vice President Jorge Glass, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa Delgado, Ecuador's coach Reinaldo Rueda, soccer players Felipe Caicedo and Antonio Valencia attend a special ceremony for the Ecuadorean National Team before their participation in the Brazil World Cup 2014, in Quito May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP) 

Edison Mendez (8) of Colombia's Santa Fe celebrates after scoring a goal against Paraguay's Nacional with his teammates during their Copa Libertadores soccer match in Bogota February 11, 2014. REUTERS/John Vizcaino (COLOMBIA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez (R) of Colombia's Santa Fe celebrates scoring a goal against Paraguay's Nacional with his teammates during their Copa Libertadores soccer match in Bogota February 11, 2014. REUTERS/John Vizcaino (COLOMBIA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez (R) of Colombia's Santa Fe and Egidio Arevalo Rios of Mexico's Morelia fight for the ball during their Libertadores Cup soccer match in Bogota February 4, 2014. REUTERS/Fredy Builes (COLOMBIA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's soccer players (L-R) Oscar Bagui, Edison Mendez and Renato Ibarra train during a practice session at the national soccer team's headquarters in Quito September 3, 2013. Ecuador will face Colombia in Barranquilla for their World Cup qualifying match on September 6. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's soccer players (L-R) Edison Mendez, Renato Ibarra and Oscar Bagui train during a practice session at the national soccer team's headquarters in Quito September 3, 2013. Ecuador will face Colombia in Barranquilla for their World Cup qualifying match on September 6. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's soccer player Edison Mendez controls the ball during a training session at the national soccer team's headquarters in Quito September 2, 2013. Ecuador will face Colombia in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers on September 6. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

(L-R) Ecuador's soccer players Frickson Erazo, Gabriel Achilier and Edison Mendez jog during a practice session at the national soccer team's headquarters in Quito September 2, 2013. Ecuador will face Colombia in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers on September 6. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

The Ecuadorean soccer team poses for a photo opportunity before a practice session at their training center in Quito, May 30, 2012. The Ecuadoreans are preparing to face Argentina on June 2. Front Row (L to R): Edison Mendez, Joao Rojas, Cristian Suarez, Juan Carlos Paredes, Jairo Campos, Luis Saritama, Walter Ayovi,Cristian Benitez, Pedro Quinonez, Gabriel Achilier and Diego Calderon. Back Row (L - R): Alejandro Castillo, Jorge Guagua, Antonio Valencia, Fricson Erazo, Geovanny Espinoza, Adrian Bone, Maximo Banguera, Alexander Dominguez, Jefferson Montero, Oswaldo Minda, Cristian Novoa and Jaime Ayovi. REUTERS/Kevin Granja(Ecuador - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

The Ecuadorean soccer team poses for a photo opportunity before a practice session at their training center in Quito, May 30, 2012. The Ecuadoreans are preparing to face Argentina on June 2. Front Row (L to R): Edison Mendez, Joao Rojas, Cristian Suarez, Juan Carlos Paredes, Jairo Campos, Luis Saritama, Walter Ayovi,Cristian Benitez, Pedro Quinonez, Gabriel Achilier and Diego Calderon. Back Row (L - R): Alejandro Castillo, Jorge Guagua, Antonio Valencia, Fricson Erazo, Geovanny Espinoza, Adrian Bone, Maximo Banguera, Alexander Dominguez, Jefferson Montero, Oswaldo Minda, Cristian Novoa and Jaime Ayovi. REUTERS/Kevin Granja(Ecuador - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Antonio Valencia (L) and Edison Mendez participate in a training session in Quito May 24, 2012. Ecuador will face Argentina for the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers on June 2. REUTERS/Gary Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez (C) celebrates a goal with teammates Luis Saritama (L) and Antonio Valencia during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Peru in Quito November 15, 2011. REUTERS/Guilermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez (C) scores past Peru's goalkeeper Maximo Banguera and defender Fricson Erazo (R) during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Quito, November 15, 2011. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's national soccer players pose for a photo in Quito November 14, 2011. Ecuador will play against Peru on Tuesday in the qualifying round of the 2014 World Cup. The players are: (L to R, standing) Ecuador's national soccer players Antonio Valencia,Alex Bolanos, Jaime Ayovi, Elvis Bone, Diego Calderon, Alexander Dominguez, Adrian Bone, Maximo Banguera, Walter Ayovi, Jairo Campos, Felix Borja, Jefferson Montero, (front L-R) Edison Mendez, Cristian Suarez, Joao Rojas, Oswaldo Minda, Segundo Castillo, Fricson Erazo, Fernando Saritama, Cristian Benitez, Juan Carlos Paredes, Eduardo Morante and Gabriel Achilier. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's soccer player Edison Mendez (L) arrives at the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Luque near Asuncion November 9, 2011. Ecuador will face Paraguay on November 11 in their qualifying match for the 2014 Brazil World Cup finals. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno (PARAGUAY - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's soccer players Maximo Banguera (L) and Edison Mendez participate in a training session for their next World Cup qualifier match in Quito November 8, 2011. Ecuador will play against Paraguay in Asuncion on November 11. REUTERS/Stringer (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez (8) controls the ball near Clint Dempsey (10) and Juan Agudelo (18) of the U.S. in the second half of their friendly soccer match at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, October 11, 2011. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

United States' Clint Dempsey kicks the ball past Ecuador's Edison Mendez (R) in the first half of their friendly soccer match at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, October 11, 2011. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's national soccer team players (L-R, back row) Eduardo Morante, Antonio Valencia, Alejandro Castillo, Alexander Dominguez, Adrian Bone, Maximo Banguera, Jaime Ayovi, Juan Carlos Paredes, Jairon Campos, Joffrey Guerron, Jefferson Montero, (L-R front row) Alex Bolanos, Cristian Suarez, Edison Mendez, Diego Calderon, Fernando Saritama, Michael Arroy, Fricson Erazo, Cristian Benitez, Walter Ayovi, Cristian Noboa, Giovanni Caicedo and Gabriel Achilier pose for a photo in Quito October 6, 2011. Ecuador will play against Venezuela in their first match of the qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's national soccer player Antonio Valencia challenges Edison Mendez during a training session in Quito October 3, 2011. Ecuador will play against Venezuela in their first match of the qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup. REUTERS/Samuel Leon (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez shoots to score against Costa Rica during their international friendly soccer match in San Jose August 10, 2011. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate (COSTA RICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez celebrates his goal against Costa Rica during their international friendly soccer match at National stadium in San Jose August 10, 2011. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate (COSTA RICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Felipe Caicedo (L) celebrates with teammates Michael Arroyo (7) and Edison Mendez after he scored a goal against Brazil during the first round of the Copa America soccer tournament in Cordoba, July 13, 2011. REUTERS/Andres Stapff (ARGENTINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's team pose for a group picture before their match against Venezuela in the first round of the Copa America soccer tournament in Salta, July 9, 2011. Top L-R: Segundo Castillo, Marcelo Elizaga, Frickson Erazo, Felipe Caicedo and Christian Noboa. Bottom L-R: Michael Arroyo, Neicer Reasco, Edison Mendez, Walter Ayovi, Christian Benitez and Norberto Araujo. REUTERS/Jorge Silva (ARGENTINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Venezuela's Cesar Gonzalez (bottom) battles Ecuador's Edison Mendez in the first round of the Copa America soccer tournament in Salta, July 9, 2011. REUTERS/David Mercado (ARGENTINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez kicks a ball during a team practice at Colon Sportive Camp in Santa Fe city July 1, 2011. Ecuador will face Paraguay on July 3 in its first match of the Copa America tournament. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ARGENTINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's national soccer team players Norberto Araujo (L) and Edison Mendez train during a team practice in Santa Fe city June 30, 2011. Ecuador will face Paraguay on July 3 in its first match during the Copa America Argentina 2011. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ARGENTINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's national soccer team player Edison Mendez jogs during a team practice in Santa Fe city June 30, 2011. Ecuador will face Paraguay on July 3 in its first match during the Copa America Argentina 2011. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ARGENTINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuadorean soccer player Edison Mendez eyes a ball during a training session at the Boca Junior headquarters' camp in Buenos Aires June 29, 2011. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian (ARGENTINA Tags: - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez, member of Ecuador 's National team selected for Argentina's Copa America 2011, poses for a photo opportunity in Quito June27, 2011. REUTERS/Kevin Granja (ECUADOR- - Tags: SPORT SOCCER HEADSHOT) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez runs with the ball as Mexico's Oribe Pealta (R) looks on during their friendly soccer match at the Atahualpa Stadium in Quito June 25, 2011. REUTERS/Kevin Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Mexico's Darwin Chavez (L) and Jorge Enriquez challenge Ecuador's Edison Mendez (R) during their friendly soccer match at the Atahualpa Stadium in Quito June 25, 2011. REUTERS/Kevin Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

(L-R) Norberto Araujo, Edison Mendez and Levante UD's Felipe Caicedo train during the Ecuador national team's practice session in Quito June 21, 2011. Ecuador on June 25, 2011 will play an international friendly soccer match against Mexico. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Carlos Valdes (L) of Colombia's Independiente Santafe fights for the ball with Edison Mendez of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro during their Copa Sudamericana soccer match in Bogota October 20, 2010. REUTERS/John Vizcaino (COLOMBIA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez of Ecuador's LDU smiles during a soccer training session at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro December 1, 2009. LDU will play against Brazil's Fluminense in a Copa Sudamericana final match on Wednesday. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes (BRAZIL) 

Ecuador's LDU player Edison Mendez controls a ball during a soccer training session at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro December 1, 2009. LDU will play against Brazil's Fluminense in a Copa Sudamericana final match on Wednesday. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes (BRAZIL SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez of Ecuador's LDU controls a ball during a soccer training session at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro December 1, 2009. LDU will play against Brazil's Fluminense in a Copa Sudamericana final match on Wednesday. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes (BRAZIL) 

Ecuador's LDU coach Jorge Fossati (2nd L) celebrates with players Claudio Graf (L) and Edison Mendez during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final soccer match against Brazil's Fluminense at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez (R) of Ecuador's LDU celebrates with teammate Claudio Bieler after scoring against Brazil's Fluminense during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final match at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez of Ecuador's LDU celebrates after scoring during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final soccer match against Brazil's Fluminense at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Granja (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Neicer Reasco (L) and Edison Mendez of Ecuador's LDU celebrate after Mendez scored during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final soccer match against Brazil's Fluminense at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Granja(ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Neicer Reasco and Edison Mendez (L) of Ecuador's LDU celebrate after Mendez scored against Brazil's Fluminense during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final soccer match at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Granja(ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez (R) of Ecuador's LDU celebrates next to teammate Claudio Bieler after scoring against Brazil's Fluminense during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final match at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia. (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez (L) of Ecuador's LDU challenges Diogo of Brazil's Fluminense during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final soccer match at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Granja(ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez of Ecuador's LDU celebrates after scoring against Brazil's Fluminense during their Copa Sudamericana first leg final match at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 25, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Jorge Cordoba of Uruguay's River Plate heads the ball under pressure of Edison Mendez (R) of Ecuador's Liga Deportiva Universitaria during their Copa Sudamericana semi-final soccer match in Montevideo November 12, 2009. REUTERS/Andres Stapff (URUGUAY SPORT SOCCER) 

Edison Mendez (R) of Ecuador's Liga Deportiva Universitaria is congratulated by teammate Claudio Graf (C) after scoring against Uruguay's River Plate during their Copa Sudamericana semi-final soccer match in Montevideo November 12, 2009. REUTERS/Andres Stapff (URUGUAY SPORT SOCCER) 

Liga's Edison Mendez (L) controls the ball as Velez's Victor Zapata tackles him during their second leg match for the Copa Sudamericana soccer match at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito November 5, 2009. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Edison Mendez reacts during their World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match against Chile in Santiago, October 14, 2009. REUTERS/Eliseo Fernandez (CHILE SPORT SOCCER) 

LDU Quito's Edison Mendez (L) and Neicer Reasco celebrate after scoring against Lanus in their Copa Sudamericana soccer match in Quito September 24, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Lanus' Sadson Viera (R) and LDU Quito's Edison Mendez battle for the ball with during their Copa Sudamericana soccer match in Quito September 24, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's LDU player Edison Mendez (R) battles for the ball with with Sebastian Blanco of Argentina's Lanus during their Copa Sudamericana soccer match in Quito September 24, 2009. REUTERS/Teddy Garcia (ECUADOR SPORT SOCCER) 

Ecuador's Segundo Castillo (14) and Edison Mendez (R) celebrate near Bolivia's Marcelo Martins (L) at the end of their World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match in La Paz September 9, 2009. REUTERS/Gaston Brito (BOLIVIA SPORT SOCCER)