Gabriel Valenzuela (footballer)

Valenzuela was first called up by North Korean coach Kim Yong-ha to partake in Cuba's first international tour in a series of games against North Vietnam.^[1] He was part of the early 1970s generation that included players such as Jorge Massó, Dagoberto Lara, Luis Holmanza, Fernando Griñán, Rafael Argüelles and Humberto Martínez as the club made their first major breakthrough in their victory in the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games.^[2] He received his largest role during the 1971 CONCACAF Championship where he was made captain of the Diablos Rojos and played in the 3–1 victory against Honduras on 23 November 1971.^[3] He made his final appearance in a series of friendlies against the Mexican Olympic team in 1972.^[4]

Alongside Dominican international footballer and friend José Pichardo, he the Vice President of the Papi Pichardo Foundation based in Virginia which is a charity organization that sends relief funds to children in the Dominican Republic.^[5]