SOCCER PLAYERS from Venezuela

Top 10

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Venezuelan Soccer Players of all time. This list of famous Venezuelan Soccer Players is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Venezuelan Soccer Players.

1. Jorge Valdivia (1983 - )

With an HPI of 42.25, Jorge Valdivia is the most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 38 different languages on wikipedia.

Jorge Luis Valdivia Toro (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxoɾxe ˈlwjs βalˈdjβja], born 19 October 1983) is a Chilean national and former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Product of Colo-Colo youth ranks, Valdivia had an impressing loan spell at Universidad de Concepción during his debut season in 2003. Then after another two loan spells in Europe, he definitely joined Colo-Colo in 2005 winning one year later the Torneo Apertura title, before moving to Palmeiras. Since joining Brazilian club, he spent seven years playing for Verdão — interrupted by his spell at Al Ain — and has appeared in more than 100 games, winning one Paulistão in 2008, a Copa do Brasil in 2012 and a Série B title in 2013. A Chilean international between 2004 until 2017, he was an integral member of the 2015 Copa América winning squad (the first ever achieved by his national team in its history), having previously appeared in two past editions (2007 and 2011) and in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. During his years active, Valdivia has reached 7 goals in 78 caps. He is considered one of the greatest playmakers in the Chilean football history and has been praised by football legends like Pelé or Carlos Valderrama. His figure is very prominent at Palmeiras recent history, where he is mostly a divisive figure, but more often considered to be an idol. He also enjoys great fame at Al Ain. Due to his talent, he was given the nicknames "El Mago" (the wizard) throughout his career. Valdivia was a "classic number 10", who was best known for his passing ability and skills.

2. Danny (1983 - )

With an HPI of 41.74, Danny is the 2nd most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 35 different languages.

Daniel Miguel Alves Gomes (born 7 August 1983), commonly known as Danny, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Also a winger, he was known for his dribbling and key passes. He spent most of his career in Russia in service of Dynamo Moscow and Zenit, after arriving at the age of 21 from Sporting CP. He won seven items of silverware with Zenit, including three Russian Premier League titles. Danny represented Portugal at the 2010 World Cup and the 2004 Olympics.

3. Jeffrén Suárez (1988 - )

With an HPI of 41.52, Jeffrén Suárez is the 3rd most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 36 different languages.

Jeffrén Isaac Suárez Bermúdez (born 20 January 1988), known simply as Jeffrén, is a Venezuelan footballer who plays as a forward or a winger. He started his career with Barcelona, appearing rarely and signing for Sporting CP in 2011. Other than in Spain, he also played professionally in Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Cyprus, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. Jeffrén won 30 caps for Spain at youth level, winning the European Championships with the under-19 and the under-21 teams. In 2015, he made his senior debut for Venezuela.

4. Salomón Rondón (1989 - )

With an HPI of 40.53, Salomón Rondón is the 4th most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 46 different languages.

José Salomón Rondón Giménez (Spanish pronunciation: [saloˈmon ronˈdon]; born 16 September 1989) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga MX club Pachuca and the Venezuela national team, which he captains. After starting out at Aragua, Rondón went on to spend most of his career in Europe, appearing in La Liga with Málaga, the Russian Premier League with Rubin Kazan, Zenit Saint Petersburg (winning the 2015 national championship with the latter club) and CSKA Moscow, and the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and Everton. A Venezuela international since 2008, Rondón has earned over 100 caps and is the country's all-time top goalscorer with 41 goals. He represented his country in four Copa América tournaments, helping them to fourth place in 2011.

5. Tomás Rincón (1988 - )

With an HPI of 39.60, Tomás Rincón is the 5th most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 34 different languages.

Tomás Eduardo Rincón Hernández (Spanish pronunciation: [toˈmas riŋˈkon]; born 13 January 1988) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Série B side Santos and the Venezuela national team, which he captains.

6. Fernando Amorebieta (1985 - )

With an HPI of 35.69, Fernando Amorebieta is the 6th most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 32 different languages.

Fernando Gabriel Amorebieta Mardaras (born 29 March 1985) is a former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He spent most of his career with Athletic Bilbao, appearing in 254 competitive matches over eight La Liga seasons and scoring four goals. He also competed professionally in England (with Fulham and Middlesbrough), Argentina and Paraguay. Internationally, Amorebieta played for Spain (where he spent most of his early life) at youth level, but later decided to represent his country of birth Venezuela as a senior, appearing for the nation at the 2015 Copa América.

7. Josef Martínez (1993 - )

With an HPI of 34.10, Josef Martínez is the 7th most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  Her biography has been translated into 25 different languages.

Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia (born 19 May 1993) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club CF Montréal and the Venezuela national team. Josef Martínez began his career with Caracas. In 2012, he was acquired by the Swiss Super League club Young Boys before spending a year on loan at Thun. In 2014, he was sold to Italian club Torino, and in 2017, Major League Soccer expansion side, Atlanta United FC. He later joined Inter Miami for the 2023 season. He holds the MLS record for career hat-tricks with six in his first 44 games, the record for cumulative goals in regular and post season with 35, the record for most consecutive games with a goal (15), and formerly held the record for goals in a single season (31 in 2018). Additionally, Martínez scored 100 goals in the MLS faster than any single player in league history (125 games). In 2018, Martínez became the most decorated single-season player in MLS history by winning the League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Golden Boot, and MLS Cup Final MVP. He is a former Venezuela under-20 international. In 2011, he made his debut for the senior Venezuela national team against El Salvador, and has since represented his nation at three editions of the Copa América.

8. Miku (1985 - )

With an HPI of 33.18, Miku is the 8th most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 26 different languages.

Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores (born 19 August 1985), commonly known as Miku, is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Academia Puerto Cabello. He spent most of his career in Spain, having played for a host of clubs and starting with Valencia. In La Liga, he also represented Getafe and Rayo Vallecano, and won a Scottish double while on loan at Celtic in 2013. Miku represented Venezuela in two Copa América tournaments.

9. José Manuel Rey (1975 - )

With an HPI of 33.05, José Manuel Rey is the 9th most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 23 different languages.

José Manuel Rey Cortegoso (born 20 May 1975) is a Venezuelan former footballer who played as a central defender, currently a manager. Known as Pokémon and Tetero, and a free kick specialist, he represented mainly Caracas in a 20-year professional career. Rey was at one time Venezuela's second-most ever capped player, surpassing 100 international appearances. He was part of the squads at six Copa América tournaments.

10. Oswaldo Vizcarrondo (1984 - )

With an HPI of 32.93, Oswaldo Vizcarrondo is the 10th most famous Venezuelan Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 22 different languages.

Oswaldo Augusto Vizcarrondo Araujo (Spanish pronunciation: [oˈswaldo βiθkaˈrondo], born 31 May 1984) is a former Venezuelan international footballer who played as a centre-back. An international since 2004, Vizcarrondo has reached more than 80 appearances and 7 goals for La Vinotinto and was part of the historical 2011 Copa América fourth place squad.