Jonathan Viera
A crafty Spanish playmaker whose silky skills and loyalty made him the creative heartbeat and fan favorite of his beloved Las Palmas.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Spanish footballer·Birthday: October 21·Millennials
Biography
Jonathan Viera's footballing identity is inextricably linked to the Canary Islands and UD Las Palmas. A native of Gran Canaria, his technical elegance, close control, and eye for a decisive pass marked him as a special talent from his youth. While his abilities took him to Valencia and briefly to China, his heart always seemed to pull him back to the Estadio Gran Canaria. Multiple returns to Las Palmas were not seen as steps down, but as a maestro coming home to conduct the orchestra. Viera became the symbol of the club's identity, a technical leader who could unlock defenses with a dribble or a perfectly weighted through-ball. His commitment transformed him from a local prospect into the captain and soul of the team, embodying the passionate connection between a player and his city.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jonathan was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jonathan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Jonathan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Captained UD Las Palmas to promotion to La Liga for the 2022-23 season.
- Won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship with Spain in 2011.
- Finished as Las Palmas's top scorer in the 2017-18 La Liga season from a midfield position.
- Made over 250 competitive appearances for Las Palmas across multiple spells.
Did You Know?
Viera is known for being left-footed and often takes set-pieces for his team.
He had a brief stint playing for Beijing Guoan in the Chinese Super League.
He shares his name with a famous Spanish bullfighter, though they are not related.
Viera has been sent off multiple times in his career for protesting referee decisions.
“My heart is here in the Canary Islands; this is my home and my club.”
