Ecuador's World Cup dream inspired by tragic hero on the land where he died
Chucho Benitez was 27-years-old when he died in July 2013, just one day after making his debut for Qatari club El Jaish.
When Enner Valencia scored the first goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as Ecuador spoiled Qatar’s already rotten party he and his teammates dropped to their knees and pointed to the heavens.
It was one of the opening round’s more poignant moments, as Ecuador’s players paid tribute to a fallen hero they now feel is watching over them in this far away land.
That guardian angel is Christian ‘Chuco’ Benitez.
The bulldozer of a frontman was a goal-machine for club and country. He had successful spells at his hometown club El Nacional as well as in Mexico with Santos Laguna. He then spent a year on loan at Birmingham City where, while his application and effort was appreciated, his lack of goals resulted in no permanent move being offered.
But it was with Ecuador where Chucho really shined, scoring 24 goals in 58 games. With the 2014 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, he was in the prime of his footballing life, putting his Birmingham disappointment behind him back in Mexico with Club America, scoring 30 goals in 43 games in 2012-13 to win Mexico’s Golden Boot.
Such form brought Chucho a richly deserved and financially empowering move to Qatar - joining El Jaish in a mammoth $15 million deal in July 2013.
It was a move that was to set Chucho up for his life ahead, just rewards for his aptitude and endeavours since that failed loan move at St Andrew’s.
But 23 days after signing for his new team, that life was ended, sending shockwaves through Ecuadorian football that still reverberate today.
Just hours after coming through his debut v Qatar SC on July 28, 2013, unscathed the striker was admitted to Ahli Hospital in Doha with acute abdominal pain. A short while later, his death was announced.
The aftermath was a mixture of confusion and chaos. He had come through his medical with his new club with flying colours.
Initial reports suggested the striker had died of peritonitis. Then there were rumours of heat stroke due to the intense temperature during his opening fixture in Qatari football.
However, it was later confirmed that Chucho had died of cardiac arrest. An autopsy, commissioned by the Ecuador Football Federation, discovered that Chucho was “destined to die” young due to a coronary artery defect only detectable post-mortem. Chucho, Ecuador’s rampaging and seemingly indestructible frontman, was as fallible as the mere mortals who adored him.
Nine years on and the man whose career was jilted from its axis by Chucho’s demise is leading Ecuador’s charge in Qatar.
The death of their leading striker left Ecuador short of attacking options. The solution was to switch a young winger into a centre-forward position. That man was Enner Valencia.
The 33-year-old has gone on to become Ecuador’s record goal scorer and captain. He scored both goals as El Tri won their opening World Cup fixture just 45 minutes north of where his former team-mate so tragically lost his life just shy of a decade ago and Chucho was so humbly recognised in celebration.
Now, the Ecuador team will continue to evoke the spirit of Chucho, the ‘pesky dog’, when they take on the Netherlands in their second group game at the World Cup tomorrow.
While other teams are angered by the location of this tournament Ecuador have been afforded the chance to pay tribute to a fallen brother on the soil where he passed. Where his dreams of financial security and national stardom laid ahead of him nine years ago.
It makes Ecuador a formidable foe in Qatar. Any team facing them will be up against 12 men, not 11.