Short International Careers, Part Two

1- Andrea Silenzi

Torino striker Andrea Silenzi earned his only cap for Italy in a Friendly vs. France on February 16, 1994 at Naples, that the Italians lost 0 to 1.

He was having his best personal season (1993/94) and scored 17 goals in the Serie A.

For this match he came on in the 65^th minute to replace Pierluigi Casiraghi.

He was subsequently not called up again.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 62, March 1994

(Andrea Silenzi with Torino, 1993/94)

2- Ernesto Valverde

Former Valencia and current Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde earned his solitary cap for Spain in a UEFA European Championship Qualifying match vs. Iceland on October 10, 1990, won 2 to 1 by Spain.

He had just transferred that season from Barcelona to Athletic Bilbao.

He came on in the 71^st minute to replace  ‘Carlos’ Antonio Munoz.

 

Photo From: Onze, February 1987

(Ernesto Valverde with Espanyol Barcelona, 1986/87)

3- Roland Wohlfarth

Despite being a prolific goalscorer with Bayern Munich, Roland Wohlfarth was often overlooked by Franz Beckenbuaer.

He did however earn two caps under Beckenbuaer three years apart.

His first cap was a Friendly vs. Spain on October 15, 1986 at Hannover that ended in a 2 to 2 tie.

He had to wait nearly three years for his next cap, another Friendly at Dublin vs. Republic of Ireland that ended in a one to one tie.

 

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, March April 1985

(Roland Wohlfarth and Paul Steiner, September 22, 1984, Bayern Munich 2-Koln 0)

4- Barry Venison

Former Liverpool defender Barry Venison’s international prospects seemed unlikely, when suddenly he was called up by new England Manager Terry Venables for a Friendly vs. USA at Wembley on September 7^th, 1994 (2 to 0 win).

He had been a key player in the resurgence of Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle.

His second and final cap was a few months later in another Friendly at Wembley vs. Uruguay on March 29^th, 1995 that ended in a scoreless tie.

 He always seemed like a short term option as he was past 30 when first selected and was not called up again.

Photo From: England, Player by Player, Author Graham Betts

(Barry Venison)

5- Claudemir Vitor

Defender Claudemir Vitor was part of Tele Santana’s Copa Libertadores winning squad of the early 1990s.

He earned his only two caps along this period.

His first cap was in a Friendly vs. Uruguay on November 26^th, 1992 that Brazil lost 1 to 2.

His second was a few months later in another Friendly vs. Poland on March 17, 1993 ( 2 to 2 tie) when he replaced Luiz Carlos Winck in the 64^th minute.

That summer (1993), Real Madrid approached Sao Paulo hoping to acquire Cafu but couldn’t so they set their sights on Vitor instead and signed him on loan.

His stay there was disappointing and he rejoined Sao Paulo months later, but never played for Brazil again.