Salomón Rondón
Venezuela's all-time leading goal scorer, a powerful striker who has been his nation's footballing standard-bearer across Europe and beyond.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Venezuelan football player·Birthday: September 16·Millennials
Biography
Salomón Rondón carries the hopes of Venezuelan football on his broad shoulders. As the national team's captain and record goal scorer, he is more than a player; he is an icon in a country where baseball traditionally reigns. His career path took him from the Venezuelan league to a proving ground in Spain's La Liga with clubs like Málaga and later to the physical demands of the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United. Rondón's game is built on classic center-forward traits: immense physical strength, aerial dominance, and a poacher's instinct in the box. While he never played for a European superclub, his consistent goal output and leadership for the 'Vinotinto' have made him one of the most significant athletes in his nation's history.
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.
Salomón 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 Salomón Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Salomón'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
- Is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Venezuela national football team.
- Scored 12 Premier League goals for Newcastle United during the 2018-19 season, becoming a fan favorite.
- Won the Chinese FA Cup in 2020 while playing for Dalian Professional.
- Played in La Liga for Málaga and later in the Russian Premier League for Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Did You Know?
His full name includes his mother's maiden name, Giménez, following Spanish naming customs.
He scored a hat-trick for West Bromwich Albion in a 3-1 win over Swansea City in 2016.
He played alongside Venezuelan baseball star Miguel Cabrera in a charity football match.
“I play for my country; every goal is for Venezuela.”
