Yaimar Medina: Independiente Del Valle’s Next Big Thing by Sebastian Ferro

Date of Birth: 05/11/2004 (19 years old)

Nationality: Ecuadorian

Club: CA Independiente Del Valle

Position: Left Wingback, Left Winger, Left Back

Height: 164cm (5 ft. 5 in)

Weight: 70 kg (150 lbs)

Strong Foot: Left

Youth: Independiente Del Valle

Market Value: € 600k (Transfermarkt)

Similar Players: Michel Bastos, Juan Cuadrado

Player History

Yaimar Medina is a 19 year old left sided wingback and midfielder who plays for Ecuador’s Independiente Del Valle. Medina is a graduate of Independiente’s academy and made his debut for the first team in the 2022 season at just 17 years of age. Independiente has become renowned in recent years for developing incredible Ecuadorian talents such as Moises Caicedo, Peiro Hincapie and Kendry Paez. It should be no surprise then that Medina has the potential to join them at the highest levels of football. An explosive winger with strong dribbling, crossing and close control, Medina is also capable of playing deeper as a left wingback. He has already caught the eye of his national team, having been called up for competitions at the U20 and U23 level over the past two years. Most recently, Medina was a stand out performer in the 2024 CONMEBOL Pre Olympic Tournament for Ecuador’s U23 side, scoring a brace against Colombia.

Playing Style

Yaimar Medina is a talented left winger and wingback that possesses great technique, pace, and athleticism. Despite his diminutive size, he is comfortable moving forward with the ball and getting in the mix in the final third. He is comfortable with both feet and will often switch flanks mid game and has even held his own playing centrally as a second striker. So far this season despite not having a goal or assist so far he is averaging 1.6 shots per game which is impressive for his position. This is a result of his incredible pace and agility, and is a threat on the counter especially against a high line. He is a brave and aggressive player, constantly looking to advance with the ball or move off of it into the final third. He is very comfortable taking on his defender and driving forward with good ball control and dribbling. He is a serviceable passer but is more capable as a direct outlet and playing vertically over the opposition defense. While notably raw he is a good crosser of the ball and currently takes set pieces for Independiente Del Valle as a result of his ability to whip a ball into the box.His defensive capabilities are limited, mostly as a result of his small frame, however he is often in an advanced position and he is not part of the backline.He has a good work rate and pace which makes him a good presser from the front. Very rarely will he be making interceptions and winning duels deep in his own half. As noted earlier he is a good passer and crosser of the ball for the level but he is still very raw in these aspects. Timing, defensive positioning and decision making, particularly in the final third, are all areas to improve on.

Game Footage

Medina is a direct threat on the counter because of his pace and acceleration. Here he receives a long through ball over the top of the defense and is able to control the ball and take a shot on target.

Medina plays in an advanced position high and wide near the touchline. Primarily a left sided winger, he is also comfortable enough with both feet to switch over to the right flank throughout a match.

Medina’s strengths is his bravery, close control, and dribbling, as seen here where he receives the pass in midfield, takes on two defenders and is eventually fouled late after beating his man.

Game Notes

Game 1: Delfín v Independiente Del Valle – Ecuadorian Serie A (01-03-2024)

• Featured as a LW in a 4-3-3
• Named a starter and played for 67 minutes
• Impactful from the left side of the pitch but notably looked to get involved centrally, often as an outlet when counter attacking as a result of his pace and athleticism
• Would flip occasionally to the right side of the pitch and looked comfortable with both feet.
• Most impactful in the final third of the pitch, comfortable playing short passes and dribbling to get on goal
• Notably raw in some of his pass selection/completion, also lost possession taking on opponents as result of his slight figure.
• While he did not have many defensive actions, he was solid pressing the ball often as a lone man up top. Forced the opposing keeper to make poor passes from the back
• Was caught offsides a few times on the counter, made a few unnecessary fouls as well.
• Impactful for his side’s only goal, using his pace, close passing and technique while starting a direct counter from the left side of the pitch

Game 2: El Nacional v Independiente Del Valle – Ecuadorian Serie A (02-12-2023)

• Featured as a LW in a 4-3-3
• Named a starter and played for 67 minutes
• Impactful from the left side of the pitch but notably looked to get involved centrally, often as an outlet when counter attacking as a result of his pace and athleticism
• Would flip occasionally to the right side of the pitch and looked comfortable with both feet
• Most impactful in the final third of the pitch, comfortable playing short passes and dribbling to get on goal
• Notably raw in some of his pass selection/completion, also lost possession taking on opponents as result of his slight figure
• While he did not have many defensive actions, he was solid pressing the ball often as a lone man up top. Forced the opposing keeper to make poor passes from the back
• Was caught offsides a few times on the counter, made a few unnecessary fouls as well
• Impactful for his side’s only goal, using his pace, close passing and technique while starting a direct counter from the left side of the pitch

Game 3: Independiente Del Valle v Orense – Ecuadorian Serie A (25-11-2023)

• Featured as a LWB  in a 5-4-1
• Named as a substitute and featured in the match at the 77th minute
• Despite only featuring as a late substitute, was able to positively impact the game and was vital in the build up of the second goal
• Held an advanced position on the left and constantly looked to overlap in the final third
• Used his pace, athleticism and technical ability to be a constant threat on the left side
• Had a minimal impact on the game from a defensive standpoint

Game 4: Aucas v Independiente Del Valle – Ecuadorian Serie A (11-11-2023)

• Featured as a LW in a 4-3-3
• Named a starter and played for 63 minutes
• Began the match from a very central position, often lining up as a second striker in a 4-4-2
• Would look to receive a ball over the top or run in behind the defense using his pace
• Impactful in the final third of the pitch, managed to have 4 shots and 1 on target
• Notably raw in some of his pass selection/completion, also lost possession taking on opponents as result of his slight figure
• As the game wore on he would take on a wider position on the left side, linked up well with the LB 
• Looked to switch play from the left side and had mixed results crossing the ball
• Not very impactful defensively but looked comfortable pressing as a second striker in a 4-4-2 out of possession

Game 5: Independiente Del Valle v Cauca – Ecuadorian Serie A (28-10-2023)

• Featured as a LB in a 4-3-3
• Named a substitute and featured in the 80th minute
• Did not get many touches on the ball but looked to get advanced when in possession
• Looked to overlap in the final third, played in a cross and had a shot off target
• Okay in defense, won a ground duel but fouled the opposition twice when making an interception
• Appeared much more comfortable in possession and moving forward than when trying to see out the game from deep in his final third

What’s Next?

Yaimar Medina has become increasingly admired in South America and Europe for his exploits for both club and country. Particularly, his performances with the Ecuadorian U23 national team this past winter in the Conmebol Pre-Olympic Tournament has elevated his profile to a greater footballing audience. While all of this attention is positive for Medina and may entice him to chase a higher level, the most important thing for him right now is to continue playing in the Ecuadorian Serie A. At the time of writing Medina has only featured 32 times professionally in his career for a total of 1,411 minutes. Only half of those appearances have been as a starter. As a result, I believe that Medina needs to continue to develop at this level where he is more or less a regular starter. Everyone is familiar with a player who’s hype may have grown too fast and taken a step forward earlier than they should have and had their career diminished as a consequence. The most important thing for Medina to develop and match his potential would be to get regular and consistent minutes. Hopefully he can continue and impress between now and the summer so that he can be called up and excel in the 2024 Summer Olympics, the next tournament for the Ecuadorian U23’s. By then, it can be determined if he is ready for the next step during the summer or even the next winter transfer window, be that in Europe or the America’s. Either way his potential and talent is notable and if all goes well it will not be long before he features for a premier European side.