Jonay Hernández

Jonay Miguel Hernández Santos (born 15 February 1979) is a Venezuelan former professional footballer who played as a left-back.

He held a Spanish passport due to having spent almost his entire career in that nation, mainly in the Segunda División B where he appeared in 212 matches over one decade.

Hernández represented Venezuela at the 2004 Copa América.

Club career Born in Maracay, Hernández began his football career in Spain with Universidad de Las Palmas CF. In the following seasons, also in the country, he played mainly in the Segunda División B, successively representing Real Madrid Castilla, CD Tenerife B (Tercera División) and CD Ourense.

Hernández had his first – and only – taste of top-flight football in summer 2002, signing with Scottish Premier League side Dundee. On 28 August 2004 he closed the 4–4 away draw against Hibernian, as the campaign eventually ended in relegation.

In January 2005, after 89 competitive matches, Hernández went back to Spain and joined Córdoba CF. With this club and Ciudad de Murcia he would total 15 Segunda División appearances in two season halves, subsequently returning to the lower leagues.

International career Hernández made 29 appearances for the Venezuela national team. He made his debut on 26 July 2003 in a friendly against Nigeria, a 1–0 loss at Watford's Vicarage Road, and was selected for the following year's Copa América held in Peru.

Personal life Hernández's younger brother, Daniel, was also a footballer. A goalkeeper, he too spent most of his professional career in Spain, also being a Venezuelan international.