Best Venezuelan Players in history: The Venezuelan national team has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, with periods of exceptional performances and other times where they struggled and were considered one of the weaker teams in CONMEBOL.
However, throughout its history, the Venezuelan team has produced remarkable players who have gained recognition both for their individual talent and for their contributions to the team’s success. In this article, we aim to highlight the top 10 soccer players in the history of Venezuela, showcasing their impact and achievements on the international stage.
The Best Venezuelan Players in history
These are, in our opinion, the top 10 soccer players in the history of Venezuela. It’s important to note that opinions may differ, and we encourage our Venezuelan readers to engage in respectful discussions about who they believe are the most influential or talented players in the national team’s history.
10. Rafael Dudamel
- Full Name: Rafael Édgar Dudamel Ochoa
- Date of Birth: January 7, 1973 (age 50)
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
- Position(s): Goalkeeper
The player who takes the 10th top spot in our ranking is Rafael Edgar Dudamel Ochoa. Not only was he the former coach of the Venezuelan national team until a few years ago, but he is also widely recognized and celebrated as one of the most prominent goalkeepers in the history of Venezuelan football. His reputation extends beyond Venezuela, particularly in Colombia, where he played for several clubs and made a significant impact.
Throughout his career, Dudamel showcased his skills and talent as a goalkeeper while representing CDA Huila, Santa Fe, Deportivo Cali, Millonarios, Tuluá, and América de Cali on two occasions in Colombia. Despite not having an extensive record, he has achieved numerous titles both in his native Venezuela and in Colombia.
He won two Venezuelan leagues, one with ULA FC and another with Atlético Zulia. Additionally, Dudamel claimed a Colombian First Division championship with Deportivo Cali and won a South African League title with Mamelodi Sundowns during his time in South Africa.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1993–2010 | 57 | 1 |
9. Roberto Rosales
- Full Name: Roberto José Rosales Altuve
- Date of Birth: 20 November 1988 (age 34)
- Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Right back
Roberto Rosales, hailing from Caracas, holds the ninth position in our ranking of the greatest soccer players in Venezuelan history. This talented right-back has had a remarkable career, primarily in top-tier Spanish football, although he currently plays for AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot first division.
Known affectionately as “Robertico,” Rosales is a familiar name in Spain, particularly for his time at Málaga. He was an integral part of the club from 2014 to 2019. Following that, he had stints at Espanyol and Leganés. However, his most notable achievements came during his time at the Dutch club Twente, where he played 156 matches and won three titles, solidifying his status as a legend.
With 88 appearances, Roberto Rosales holds the distinction of being the fourth player with the most games played in the history of the Venezuelan national team. His consistent presence on the field has contributed significantly to the team’s success.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2007– | 91 | 1 |
8. Miku
- Full Name: Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores
- Date of Birth: 19 August 1985 (age 37)
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores, widely known as Miku, is a familiar name in the city of Madrid, Spain. He made his professional debut in Spain with Alcoyano and subsequently played for various clubs, including Salamanca, Ciudad de Murcia, Valencia Mestalla, Nástic, Valencia CF, and Getafe, where he showcased his best form.
After a short period in Scotland and Qatar, Miku returned to Spain and played two seasons with Rayo Vallecano. He then ventured to India and Cyprus before coming back to Spain in 2020 to join Deportivo de la Coruña, where he currently plays.
For the Venezuelan national team, Miku has scored a total of 11 goals. This achievement places him in joint fifth position among the top goal scorers in the history of the Venezuelan team, sharing the spot with Josef Martínez and José Rey.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–2015 | 51 | 11 |
7. Josef Martinez
- Full Name: Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia
- Date of Birth: 19 May 1993 (age 30)
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Josef Martínez is an absolute must in our ranking of the greatest soccer players in the history of Venezuela. This talented player from Carabobo has achieved worldwide stardom since joining Atlanta, where he has become one of the standout stars in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Although Josef faced initial challenges in his career, he left Caracas FC and ventured to Switzerland, where he played for Young Boys and FC Thun. He eventually signed with Torino in 2014. In 2017, Josef became a key player for Tata Martino’s Atlanta team, and he made history in the MLS by breaking the record for most goals scored in a single season with an incredible 35 goals in 2018.
On the international stage, Josef Martínez has scored a total of 11 goals for the Venezuelan national team. He currently ranks as the fifth-highest active goal scorer for the national team, alongside retired player Miku and the now-retired José Manuel Rey, who both share the same goal-scoring figures.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2011– | 62 | 14 |
6. Ruberth Moran
- Full Name: Dickson Ruberth Morán Puelo
- Date of Birth: August 11, 1973 (age 49)
- Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): Striker
Let’s talk about Dickson Ruberth Morán Puleo, or as he is known in football, Ruberth Morán, who deserves a well-deserved mention in our ranking. He is a striker born in Mérida and holds the fourth position for the most goals scored in the history of the Venezuelan national team. From 1996 to 2007, he managed to score 14 goals for the team.
Ruberth had a successful career in Venezuelan football, playing for several teams in the country’s top division. He also had short spells with Córdoba in Spain, Argentinos Juniors in Argentina, and Odd Grenland in Norway.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1996–2007 | 65 | 14 |
5. Giancarlo Maldonado
- Full Name: Giancarlo Gregorio Maldonado Marrero
- Date of Birth: 29 June 1982 (age 40)
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
- Position(s): Striker
The fifth player we must acknowledge in our ranking is Giancarlo Maldonado. He is a former striker who retired just last year and holds the distinction of being the second-highest goal scorer in the history of the Venezuelan national team. Maldonado showcased his exceptional skills and scoring ability while playing for various clubs both within and outside the continent.
Giancarlo was part of the generation of players that achieved a remarkable fourth-place finish in the 2011 Copa América. Since then, he has become a beloved figure among many Venezuelan fans, who fondly remember his crucial goals.
Giancarlo Maldonado made his debut for the national team in 2003 and went on to play 65 matches, scoring a total of 22 goals before retiring in 2011. He shares the second position on the list of top Venezuelan goal scorers with Juan Arango, further solidifying his legacy in Venezuelan football.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–2011 | 65 | 22 |
4. Tomas Rincon
- Full Name: Tomás Eduardo Rincón Hernández
- Date of Birth: 13 January 1988 (age 35)
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Position(s): Midfielder
Despite his challenging current situation as the captain of the Venezuelan national team, Tomás Rincón unquestionably deserves a place in this ranking. He is a midfielder who has spent a significant portion of his career in Europe and has become a source of great pride for his country. Currently, he plays for Torino FC in Serie A.
Born in Táchira, Tomás Rincón, also known as “El General,” has been a prominent and consistent player throughout his European club career. He notably played for Hamburg in the Bundesliga, Genoa, and Torino FC. It is worth mentioning that Rincón also had a stint with Juventus during the 2016/2017 season.
For the Venezuelan national team, Tomás Rincón has accumulated an impressive total of 112 appearances. This makes him the second player with the most caps in the history of the Venezuelan national team, highlighting his enduring commitment and contribution to the team.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2008– | 124 | 1 |
3. José Manuel Rey
- Full Name: José Manuel Rey Cortegoso
- Date of Birth: 20 May 1975 (age 48)
- Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Centre-back
José Manuel Rey, also known as “El Tetero,” is considered the third-best player in the history of the Venezuelan national team, according to our criteria. He was a central defender and gained fame in the country as a goal-scoring defender, making him a legendary figure in Venezuelan sports.
Rey was known for his powerful shots and managed to score 11 goals for the national team, which is an impressive feat for a defender. He shares the title of third-highest goal scorer for Vinotinto with Josef Martínez and Miku Fedor, despite playing in a defensive position. One memorable goal was scored from a free kick against Ecuador, where he showcased his remarkable talent.
In addition to his goal-scoring ability, José Manuel Rey holds the record for the third-most appearances in the history of the national team. He proudly represented Venezuela in a total of 111 matches, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to the team.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–2011 | 115 | 11 |
2. Solomon Rondon
- Full Name: José Salomón Rondón Giménez
- Date of Birth: 16 September 1989 (age 33)
- Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Striker
No ranking would be complete without mentioning the legendary Salomón Rondón, also known as the Gladiator. Born in Caracas in 1989, Rondón is a renowned Venezuelan football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest in his country’s history. He is a powerful and prolific striker, making a significant impact on the global stage.
Rondón began his professional career in 2006 with Aragua FC. He quickly caught the attention and moved to Spain, signing with Las Palmas in 2008. He later played for Euro-Málaga from 2010 to 2012. After a brief period in Russia, he returned to the top leagues, representing West Brom and Newcastle between 2015 and 2019. Following another short spell in Russia and China, Rondón currently plays as a striker for Everton FC in the Premier League.
For the Venezuelan national team, Rondón has scored an impressive 31 goals in 82 matches. This not only makes him the all-time leading goal scorer for Venezuela but also places him as the seventh player with the most appearances in the history of the national team.
Career Stats With Venezuela:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2008– Venezuela 94 (39) | 94 | 39 |
1. Juan Arango
- Full Name: Juan Fernando Arango Sáenz
- Date of Birth: 16 May 1980 (age 43)
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder
Finally, we have the legendary Juan Fernando Arango Sáenz. He is a famous Venezuelan football player who is widely regarded as the best player in the history of Venezuela. Arango was born in Maracay in 1980 and started his professional career in the 1996/1997 season with Nuevo Cádiz FC.
He quickly rose to prominence in Venezuela and later moved to Mexico. In 2004/2005, he joined RCD Mallorca and made a significant impact in Spanish football. He is considered one of the greatest Venezuelan players to have played in the Spanish First Division.
However, Arango’s time at Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany is particularly noteworthy. He not only established himself as one of the best Latino players in Bundesliga history, according to the league itself but also brought great pride to his hometown of Maracay. Alongside baseball player Miguel Cabrera, Arango is considered the most outstanding athlete in the history of the city.
Arango also had a successful international career, representing Venezuela. He scored 22 goals and played 127 matches for the national team. These impressive numbers make him the second-highest goal scorer and the player with the most appearances in the history of the Venezuelan national team.
Career Stats With England:
| Year | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1999–2015 | 129 | 22 |
