reputation was enhanced when he was among 50 players nominated for the Ballon d'Or-award for the best players in Europe. In Winter 2007, rumors stated that Mendez wanted a move back to Ecuador. Return to Ecuador On August 4, 2009, Mendez returned to Ecuador for personal reasons to play for his former team LDU Quito. However, there is speculation that he could return to the club for the 2012 season. Going to Brazil In March, Brazilian club Clube Atlético Mineiro announced Méndez as its new player. The Ecuadorian midfielder started defending his new team after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Independiente Santa Fe On December 11, 2013 it was confirmed that Mendez would join Colombian side Santa Fe. Return to El Nacional On January 7, 2015, it was confirmed that would Méndez return to Ecuador to play for El Nacional. International career Ecuador U20 He participated at the South American U-20 Championship in Paraguay in 1999, and Olympic qualifying tournament in Brazil in January 2000. Two months later, he was called up to the full squad and made his debut in a 3-1 defeat against Honduras in Quito. Ecuador national team He played all three games of Ecuador's 2002 World Cup campaign, scoring in the 1-0 victory in the final group stage match over Croatia, the country's first ever victory in a FIFA World Cup. The win against Croatia came as a surprise, eliminating them and sealing Méndez's reputation as a star. He was seen by many to be the promise or Ecuadorian football and gained interest from many clubs. He scored five goals in the qualifying stage for the FIFA World Cup, including a dazzling double from long range against Paraguay in 2005, helping Ecuador to a 5-2 win in Quito. With his goals, he helped Ecuador qualify to the Germany 06 edition. Méndez again played throughout his team's historic campaign in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which culminated in a 1-0 defeat to England in the round of sixteen. He was credited with two assists throughout the whole tournament. He played for Ecuador in the Copa América 2007. In that tournament he scored a consolation goal against Mexico as they were eliminated 2-1. On February 26, 2008, Mendez announced his retirement from the national team, to the surprise of most Ecuadorians and the Latin American world. He has stated that one of the reasons for his early retirement