- This generation of Venezuelan players will be eager to deliver their country its first Copa victory.
- During this year’s tournament, these three players will be key to helping Venezuela qualify out of Group B
Venezuela will arrive in the United States for CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ with a chip on their shoulder. As one of only two CONMEBOL nations to never have won the Copa, and a rising generation of stars, La Vinotinto will be eager to rewrite their country’s history at this year’s tournament. It all starts at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Saturday June 22 when Venezuela begin Group B play against Ecuador. Tickets are still available here.
Yangel Herrera
Girona FC have enjoyed a fairytale season in La Liga this season, currently sitting in third place, sandwiched in the standings between giants FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Sitting in the heart of Girona’s midfielder is Yangel Herrera, the Venezuelan midfield engine who will be key to La Vinotinto’s hopes at CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™.
Born in La Guaira, Venezuela on January 7, 1998, Herrera’s professional football career began at Atlético Venezuela at the age of 18. This is also around the time when he got his first call-up to the national team, debuting against Brazil. He was quickly scouted and picked up by City Football Group and would play for a variety of the group’s clubs throughout the world.
Bought by Manchester City in 2017, Herrera went on a two-year loan to Major League Soccer side, New York City FC where he played alongside legendary Italian midfielder, Andrea Pirlo.
Internationally, Herrera was named the U-20 captain of the Venezuelan team that would make it all the way to the 2017 U-20 World Cup final, before losing to England in the final match. He left the tournament with the Bronze Ball award, being named the third best player in the tournament only behind England’s Dominic Solanke and fellow CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ star, Federico Valverde of Uruguay.
City then moved him across the Atlantic to Europe, where he would go on loan to three different Spanish clubs before eventually finding a permanent home at Girona. This season, Herrera has been on the field for some of Girona’s biggest wins, including their 4-2 win against FC Barcelona which helped solidify the club’s place in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Herrera has also played in all six of Venezuela’s CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, helping his country to reach fourth place in the qualifying standings going into this summer’s CONMEBOL Copa América™ tournament. He’ll look to keep the good vibes going and show he’s one of tournament’s best midfielders.
Yeferson Soteldo
Venezuela’s number 10, Yeferson Soteldo will be central to La Vinotinto’s attacking efforts at CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™.
The attacking midfielder was born in Acarigua, Venezuela on June 30, 1997. Just like his countryman Herrera, Soteldo made his senior national debut in 2016 while breaking out with Venezuelan club, Zamora. Three years later, Soteldo announced himself to the continent while playing at Brazilian giants, Santos. His play at the São Paulo club would earn him a move to Toronto FC in MLS. Since then, Soteldo has bounced around from Tigres in Mexico, back to Santos and now with Grêmio.
Despite his small stature, Soteldo has proven to be a shifty player with a knack for creating chances and excellent dribbling abilities. Standing 5’2, the midfielder has overcome his size to become an important player for Venezuela.
The midfielder has played in two previous editions of CONMEBOL Copa América™. He played in four matches in 2019, when Venezuela would eventually get knocked out by Argentina in the quarterfinals, and then one match in 2021.
Going into this year’s tournament, also just like Herrera, Soteldo has played in all six of Venezuela’s CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, registering a goal and an assist in their 3-0 win against Chile back in October.
Soteldo is looking to have a big year for club and country, participating in both the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and CONMEBOL Copa América. After playing a small part in his previous two continental tournaments, this year Soteldo will be a key part of the Venezuelan team.
Jefferson Savarino
Flying down the wing for Venezuela this summer will be Jefferson Savarino. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela on November 11, 1996, he joins Herrera and Soteldo as players in the national team who are entering their prime.
Savarino started his career at Zulia in Venezuela before leaving for MLS club, Real Salt Lake. During two different stints at RSL, Savarino established himself as one of the league’s best wingers. First arriving in 2017 and then coming back to Utah in 2022.
Sandwiched between his time at the MLS club, Savarino played for Atlético Mineiro, where he would win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the Copa do Brasil in 2021.
Savarino is now back in Brazil, playing for Botafogo after leaving RSL at the end of the 2023 MLS season.
He already has registered five goals and five assists for the Brazilian club and will look to bring that good form with him back to the United States for CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™.
