Latest news with #AntonioValencia
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Man United star talks man out of suicide attempt on bridge - as he opens up on helping police at the scene and admits 'life is very fragile'
Manchester United legend Antonio Valencia heroically stepped in to help talk a man out of a suicide attempt on a bridge in Ecuador. Valencia, who played for United between 2009 and 2019 and captained the side under Jose Mourinho, retired four years ago and is back in his homeland. He took to social media earlier this week to reveal he had spotted a young man preparing to jump off a bridge and intervened. The 39-year-old shared a video on Instagram of himself and several police officers talking to the individual, before his family members arrived. Valencia wrote: 'Last night [Monday] I had an experience that was far from pleasant. 'A lad wanted to end his life off this bridge, and he was very young. 'I got out of my car and approached him. 'I did not save him, but yes, I tried to talk with him. Thank God he recognised me. I tried to say a few words to motivate him, and it was very difficult. 'Thank God his family members then arrived, and he decided not to take his life. 'Please, let's take care of ourselves, our minds and our hearts. Mental health is very important. Please, let's take care of all of this - life is very fragile.' Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira, Valencia's former team-mate at United, applauded his act, writing on Instagram: 'Great work, brother. 'You always try to help others. Good job, bro.' Valencia's post has received over 43,000 likes to date. He won two Premier League titles and the Europa League during his decade at Old Trafford, and also played for Wigan for three seasons in the top-flight. Valencia also won the Europa League in 2017 and captained the side under Jose Mourinho Valencia won 99 caps for Ecuador, scoring 11 goals. He went on to play for LDU Quito and Mexican club Queretaro before retiring.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Heroic Man Utd legend Antonio Valencia talks young man out of suicide attempt and says ‘life is very fragile'
Valencia uploaded a video of the incident to his social media ACE'S INTERVENTION Heroic Man Utd legend Antonio Valencia talks young man out of suicide attempt and says 'life is very fragile' MANCHESTER United great Antonio Valencia has been hailed as a hero after talking a man out of a suicide attempt. The former Red Devils captain, 39, is back in Ecuador after hanging up his boots four years ago. Advertisement 3 Antonio Valencia has been hailed as a hero after helping talk a man out of a suicide attempt Credit: Getty - Contributor 3 Valencia uploaded a video of the situation to his Instagram Credit: INSTAGRAM @antoniovalencia2525 Valencia spent a decade at Old Trafford, winning two Premier League titles and the Europa League. The right-back also had three Premier League seasons with Wigan, and won 99 Ecuador caps. He revealed his intervention earlier this week after spotting a young man preparing to leap off a bridge. Valencia posted a video on Instagram of himself and police officers attempting to talk the man down. Advertisement He wrote: "Last night [Monday] I had an experience that was far from pleasant. A lad wanted to end his life off this bridge, and he was very young. "I got out of my car and approached him. I did not save him, but yes, I tried to talk with him. "Thank God he recognised me. I tried to say a few words to motivate him, and it was very difficult. "Thank God his family members then arrived, and he decided not to take his life. Advertisement "Please, let's take care of ourselves, our minds and our hearts. "Mental health is very important. Please, let's take care of all of this - life is very fragile." Fulham winger Andreas Pereira paid tribute to his former United teammate Valencia. The Brazil ace wrote on Instagram: "Great work, brother. Advertisement "You always try to help others. Good job, bro." Valencia's post has since received over 42,000 likes. He also won an FA Cup and two League Cups with United after a £16million move from Wigan in 2009. The versatile ace left the Red Devils a decade later, and ended his career with LDU Quito and Mexican club Queretaro. Advertisement 3 Valencia made over 330 appearances for Man Utd Credit: PA:Empics Sport If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Heroic Man Utd legend Antonio Valencia talks young man out of suicide attempt and says ‘life is very fragile'
MANCHESTER United great Antonio Valencia has been hailed as a hero after talking a man out of a suicide attempt. The former Red Devils captain, 39, is back in 3 Antonio Valencia has been hailed as a hero after helping talk a man out of a suicide attempt Credit: Getty - Contributor 3 Valencia uploaded a video of the situation to his Instagram Credit: INSTAGRAM @antoniovalencia2525 Valencia spent a decade at Old Trafford, winning two Premier League titles and the Europa League. The right-back also had three Premier League seasons with Wigan, and won 99 Ecuador caps. He revealed his intervention earlier this week after spotting a young man preparing to leap off a bridge. Valencia posted a video on Instagram of himself and police officers attempting to talk the man down. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL He wrote: "Last night [Monday] I had an experience that was far from pleasant. A lad wanted to end his life off this bridge, and he was very young. "I got out of my car and approached him. I did not save him, but yes, I tried to talk with him. "Thank God he recognised me. I tried to say a few words to motivate him, and it was very difficult. "Thank God his family members then arrived, and he decided not to take his life. Most read in Football "Please, let's take care of ourselves, our minds and our hearts. "Mental health is very important. Please, let's take care of all of this - life is very fragile." The "You always try to help others. Good job, bro." Valencia's post has since received over 42,000 likes. He also won an FA Cup and two League Cups with United after a £16million move from Wigan in 2009. The versatile ace left the Red Devils a decade later, and ended his career with LDU Quito and Mexican club Queretaro. 3 Valencia made over 330 appearances for Man Utd Credit: PA:Empics Sport If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Heroic Man Utd legend Antonio Valencia talks young man out of suicide attempt and says ‘life is very fragile'
MANCHESTER United great Antonio Valencia has been hailed as a hero after talking a man out of a suicide attempt. The former Red Devils captain, 39, is back in Ecuador after hanging up his boots four years ago. 3 3 Valencia spent a decade at Old Trafford, winning two Premier League titles and the Europa League. The right-back also had three Premier League seasons with Wigan, and won 99 Ecuador caps. He revealed his intervention earlier this week after spotting a young man preparing to leap off a bridge. Valencia posted a video on Instagram of himself and police officers attempting to talk the man down. He wrote: "Last night [Monday] I had an experience that was far from pleasant. A lad wanted to end his life off this bridge, and he was very young. "I got out of my car and approached him. I did not save him, but yes, I tried to talk with him. "Thank God he recognised me. I tried to say a few words to motivate him, and it was very difficult. "Thank God his family members then arrived, and he decided not to take his life. "Please, let's take care of ourselves, our minds and our hearts. "Mental health is very important. Please, let's take care of all of this - life is very fragile." Fulham winger Andreas Pereira paid tribute to his former United teammate Valencia. The Brazil ace wrote on Instagram: "Great work, brother. "You always try to help others. Good job, bro." Valencia 's post has since received over 42,000 likes. He also won an FA Cup and two League Cups with United after a £16million move from Wigan in 2009. The versatile ace left the Red Devils a decade later, and ended his career with LDU Quito and Mexican club Queretaro. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Willian sets Premier League record for South Americans
Brazilian winger has made history as the South American with the most Premier League appearances, overtaking 's record. The record-breaking moment came at Villa Park, where Willian made a second-half appearance for Fulham. The 36-year-old notched up his 326th Premier League match. He now moves ahead of Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia, who made 325 appearances while at Wigan Athletic and Manchester United. Willian's English football career began back in 2013 when Chelsea brought him in from Shakhtar Donetsk. He spent seven years with the Blues, then had a short stint at Arsenal in 2020–21. He later returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians before heading back to England with Fulham in 2022. In 2024, he briefly joined Olympiakos in Greece, then rejoined Fulham in January. Player PL apps
