José Manuel Velázquez

José Manuel "Sema" Velázquez Rodríguez, (born 8 September 1990) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Venezuelan Primera División club Academia Puerto Cabello and the Venezuela national team.

Club career Velázquez started his career at just six when he started to play for various youth clubs in town. He made his professional debut with ACD Lara in 2007. Having made himself a regular at the age of 17, Deportivo Anzoátegui secured his services at the beginning of 2008.

He signed for Villarreal in 2009 to play for its reserve team. However, he did not feature in any match since he joined the squad, and was loaned to Venezuelan club Mineros de Guayana for the end of the 2010–11 season and the whole 2011–12 campaign.

On 7 July 2012, he signed a three-year contract for Panathinaikos.

On 3 July 2025, Sema signed a one-season deal with União de Leiria.

In January 2026, he returned to Venezuela, joining Primera División club Academia Puerto Cabello.

International career Velázquez has played at every level from under-15 to under-20.

International goals As of match played 13 June 2016. Venezuela score listed first, score column indicates score after each Velázquez goal.

Under 20s Velázquez was selected to play for Venezuela in the 2009 South American Youth Championship by César Farías, partnering Carlos Salazar in central defence. During the Round of 16 of the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Egypt, he play the full 90 minutes against UAE but Venezuela was eventually defeated 1–2.

Senior team Velázquez is a member of the Venezuela national football team, having debuted on 28 March 2009 against Argentina.

Honours Deportivo Anzoátegui SC Copa Venezuela: 2008

AC Mineros Copa Venezuela: 2011