Position: Winger
Date of Birth: September 1, 1989
Club: Monarcas Morelia
International Debut: v Peru (November 21, 2007)
World Cup Appearances: 0
World Cup Goals: 0
Jefferson Montero has made no secret of his desire to return to Europe and the Ecuador winger will put himself in the shop window in Brazil.
The 24-year-old spent three years in Spain before returning to South America to join Mexican club Monarcas Morelia in June 2012.
With a sharp turn of pace and the ability to torment defenders with his trickery, Montero has since become a key player for club and country.
There was much talk of a move to Arsenal and Cardiff City in January and although a switch to the Premier League never materialised, he will get the opportunity to showcase his talents on the biggest stage of all at the FIFA World Cup.
Antonio Valencia is undoubtedly the most high-profile member of the Ecuador team, but Montero could overshadow his fellow winger when he features in his first World Cup finals.
Direct and confident on the ball, Montero resembles a traditional wide player capable of giving full-backs a torrid time when at his best.
Primarily employed out on the left flank, he has the ability to cut inside or go to the byline and will be expected to provide an attacking threat for Reinaldo Rueda's side when they face Switzerland, Honduras and France in Group E.
Paraguay experienced at first hand the impact Montero is capable of making when he scored twice and set up another goal in a 4-1 victory in qualification for Brazil back in March.
He scored three times in all as Ecuador took the fourth and final automatic CONMEBOL qualification berth for the finals, denying Uruguay on goal difference.
Ecuador failed to qualify for the tournament in South Africa four years ago and Montero also missed out on the Copa America in 2011 as he failed to make an impact in Spain with Villarreal and in a loan spell at Levante.
Rather than feel sorry for himself, the wideman used that frustration as motivation to get his career back on track.
"It was a big blow, and it hurt me a lot," Montero told FIFA.com. "It taught me a lesson, and showed me what I needed to do to be part of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
"I really enjoy reading quotes by famous people. There's one by Michael Jordan, where he says that when he wasn't picked for big tournaments, he used the setbacks to become more mature. I pushed myself much harder, and now here I am."
Montero, who can also operate in a more central role, did enjoy a more fruitful loan move to Real Betis before heading to Morelia, as he helped the Seville side preserve their La Liga status.
Having started his career at Emelec in his homeland, he joined Independiente Jose Teran and also made a short loan switch at Dorados in 2008.
Big things were expected of Montero when he made his international debut as a late substitute in a 5-1 World Cup qualifying hammering of Peru at the age of 18 back in 2007.
Montero scored his first competitive international goal against the same opponents the following year, and six years on his finest hour will come when Ecuador compete in the World Cup for only the third time.