Key Players Prepare for Crucial Showdown Between El Nacional and Barcelona

QUITO, Ecuador — As the kickoff nears for the Fase 2 match on February 19, 2025, excitement builds around the stadium Atahualpa where El Nacional will face off against Barcelona. This encounter holds particular significance for four athletes: Fidel Martínez, Jhon Jairo Cifuente, Gabriel Cortez, and Mario Pineida, all of whom have donned the jerseys of both clubs.

Current El Nacional players Jhon Jairo Cifuente and Fidel Martínez are set to take the field, while returning players Gabriel Cortez and Mario Pineida, who were part of El Nacional until December, have rejoined Barcelona this year. Martínez’s journey brought him to El Nacional last year on loan from Barcelona, where he played a crucial role in clinching the Copa Ecuador 2024 title, securing qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

Martínez boasts a record of 23 appearances for El Nacional, contributing four goals and three assists. His time with Barcelona in 2020 was notable, as he scored eight goals in just eight matches, making him the leading scorer for the club in that year’s CONMEBOL Libertadores. Across all competitions, he has played 77 matches for the team, netting 36 goals.

In the second half of 2022, Martínez had a brief stint at Barcelona, featuring in 16 matches, scoring seven goals, and providing two assists. Since joining El Nacional in January 2025, he has participated in four matches, with one in the Supercopa Ecuador, one in LigaPro, and two in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, although he has yet to score.

Another key player, Jhon Jairo Cifuente, also made a mark during his time at El Nacional. Known for his prowess on the pitch, he was instrumental in the team’s Copa Ecuador victory. He played five matches in that tournament, netting three goals. Cifuente has made a strong impact in LigaPro as well, showing consistency in performance.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Cortez and Mario Pineida have now returned to Barcelona under the new management of Segundo Alejandro Castillo following the departure of their previous coach, Ariel Holan. Pineida has been a long-serving right back for Barcelona, making 211 appearances over eight seasons. His loan to El Nacional in late 2024 saw him feature in nine matches, including six in LigaPro and three in the Copa Ecuador.

As the teams prepare for this highly anticipated match, the connections between these players and their respective clubs only add to the drama, promising a thrilling contest on the pitch this Wednesday.