Juan Carlos Valenzuela (footballer)

Juan Carlos Valenzuela Hernández^[a] (born 15 May 1984) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He is popularly known by his nickname "Topo".^[1]

Juan Carlos Valenzuela

Valenzuela playing for Tijuana
Personal information
Full name	Juan Carlos Valenzuela Hernández
Date of birth	(1984-05-15) 15 May 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth	Guaymas, Mexico
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Youth career
	Atlas
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2007	Atlas	107	(3)
2008	Tecos	33	(1)
2009–2014	América	167	(5)
2015–2019	Atlas	23	(1)
2016–2019	→ Tijuana (loan)	95	(1)
2020	UdeG	4	(0)
Total		429	(11)
International career
2008–2015	Mexico	22	(1)
Medal record Representing  Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Atlas

Valenzuela came up from the Atlas youth system, debuting in Clausura 2003 against future club Tecos UAG.

América

In Clausura 2008 he was acquired by Tecos where his performance arouse the interest of Club América and the Mexico national team. Valenzuela made his debut for América against Chivas in the 2009 InterLiga.

Tijuana

On December 11, 2015 Club Tijuana announced that Valenzuela would be their new signing for the Clausura 2016 in hope of reinforcing their defense. The newly appointed manager, Miguel Herrera chose Valenzuela because of their experience together in his ex team Club America.

International career

Mexico national team

Valenzuela debuted on 24 September 2008 against Chile. He started in the 2009 Gold Cup semi-final and final, winning the championship with Mexico. He made the preliminary list for the 2010 World Cup, getting cut prior to their "farewell" game in Mexico City.

In October 2013, Valenzuela was called up to play the World Cup intercontinental playoff matches against New Zealand by Miguel Herrera.

Career statistics

International

As of match played 19 June 2015^[2]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Mexico	2008	1	0
	2009	4	0
	2010	4	0
	2013	7	0
	2014	2	0
	2015	4	1
Total		22	1

International goals

Scores and results list Peru's goal tally first.^[2]

No	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	3 June 2015	Estadio Nacional de Lima, Lima, Peru	Peru	1–1	1–1	Friendly

Honours

América

• Liga MX: Clausura 2013, Apertura 2014

Mexico

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2009

Notes

1. In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Valenzuela and the second or maternal family name is Hernández.