Elías Legendre Joins Ecuador National Team for Upcoming Friendly
Seventeen-year-old Ecuadorian forward Elías Legendre, currently playing for French club Rennes, has been called up by coach Sebastián Beccacece for the friendly match between La Tri and Morocco, scheduled for Friday, March 27 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Legendre, who has previously played a couple of matches for the French U-17 national team, made a significant impression during the recent South American U-17 tournament with the Ecuadorian squad. His inclusion in the senior team comes as a substitution for Leonardo Campana, who sustained an injury during an MLS match with the New England Revolution against St. Louis.
Campana entered the game in the 59th minute but was forced to leave just 18 minutes later, visibly emotional as he departed. The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) reported that the young striker is suffering from a hamstring injury, which has ruled him out of the upcoming fixtures.
The Ecuadorian team has been in Madrid since Sunday, preparing for their two friendly matches during the FIFA international window in March. They will first face Morocco, a team undergoing a coaching change with new manager Mohamed Ouahbi, and boasting the title of African champions after Senegal was stripped of the title due to player misconduct during the final match.
Following the encounter with Morocco, Ecuador will take on the Netherlands in Eindhoven on Tuesday, March 31. For these matches, coach Sebastián Beccacece has announced a broad squad of 34 players, who have gathered in Madrid. So far, several players, including Jordy Alcívar, John Mercado, Hernán Galíndez, Jackson Porozo, Jordy Caicedo, and Leo Realpe, have already arrived in the Spanish capital.
As reported by larepublica.ec.
