During his first era with the Ecuador national football team he was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and in Copa América 1995,[REF] 1997 with his brother,[REF]1999,[REF] and 2001[REF] He played 77 official games before announcing retirenment in 2004.
He was nicknamed by the Ecuadorian fans as "las manos del Ecuador" meaning "the hands of Ecuador" referring to his wonderful performances in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification.