CONCACAF is known for players like Hugo Sánchez, Landon Donovan, Keylor Navas, and Mauricio Cienfuegos. Often overlooked are players from the Caribbean. Countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Haiti have produced many talented players over the years, but few sometimes know who they are and what they did in their careers.
Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago have all played in World Cups and have sent a heavy number of players to play abroad. So, without further ado, here are 25 of the best Caribbean Soccer players ever!
25. Allan Cole (Jamaica)
Allan Cole and Pele.
Allan “Skill” Cole was a Jamaican soccer player who played in the old NASL with the Atlanta Chiefs and in Brazil with Náutico. Cole was a highly skilled player, known for his creativity on the ball, he was praised by many during his playing days. On a side note, he also co-wrote the song “War” with nonother than Bob Marley, and was his tour manager. Allan is still the youngest player to represent the Reggae Boyz, earning his first cap at age 15.
24. Shalrie Joseph (Granada)
Shalrie Joseph
Shalrie Joseph is considered one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS history. The Grenadian was an MLS best 11 four times and played over 250 games for the Revolution. Joseph represented Granada 20 times and today he works in the New England Revolution’s academy.
23. Pascal Chimbonda (Guadeloupe)
Pascal Chimbonda
Pascal Chimbonda was born in France but represented Guadeloupe internationally. He was a smooth defender that played in France and in the English Premier League, most notably with Tottenham Hotspur. He also went to a World Cup, how you ask, well Guadeloupe, is considered a local branch of the French federation and despite Chimbonda playing 6 times for Guadeloupe, he was selected to the 2006 World Cup, although he did not play in the tournament representing France.
22. Lindy Delapenha (Jamaica)
Lindy Delapenha
Lindy Delapenha is a historical figure, he is the first Jamaican to play professionally in England. He played for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Mansfield Town from 1948 to 1960, where he scored 93 goals in total during his time in England. After retirement he became a sports journalist in his native Jamaica, he died of a stroke at the age of 89.
21. Clyde Best (Bermuda)
Clyde Best
Clyde Best played for West Ham in England during the late sixties and most of the seventies. He scored 58 goals for the Hammers in his seven seasons before playing in the United States and then having a stint at Feyenoord in the Netherlands. Best also coached the Bermuda national team for two years from 1997-1999.
20. Andy Williams (Jamaica)
Andy Williams
Andy Williams is all CONCACAF, he was born in Canada, he represented Jamaica, and he played in MLS. The right midfielder was as steady as they came and always a leader and clutch player for any team he suited up for. In MLS he played for The Crew, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution, The MetroStars, Chicago Fire, and Real Salt Lake where he won 1 MLS Cup. He earned 97 caps for Jamaica, playing in the 1998 World Cup.
19. Paul Young (Jamaica)
Paul Young
Paul Young might fall under the radar for most people, he did not play in Europe, and played in second division U.S. soccer leagues, but he scored 28 goals for the Reggae Boyz in 86 appearances, making him one of Jamaica’s leading goal scorers. In MLS he played briefly for the Crew and Tampa Bay Mutiny.
18. Donovan Ricketts (Jamaica)
Donovan Ricketts
The Jamaican goalkeeper manded the nets for the Reggae Boyz for nearly 16 years. He earned 100 caps and played in England and the MLS, most notably for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan Ricketts won 1 MLS Cup with the Galaxy and 2 Caribbean cups with Jamaica.
17. Cornell Glen (Trinidad and Tobago)
Cornell Glen
The T&T striker is still going strong today at 40! Cornell Glen scored 24 goals for Trinidad and played in MLS, India, and Portugal. He was one of Trinidad’s best players in the 2006 World Cup.
16. Eloy Room (Curaçao)
Eloy Room
Eloy Room is one of Curaçao’s best exports, the goalkeeper has played in the Netherlands, most notably for PSV, and is a current Columbus Crew goalkeeper. He won 3 championships in his career at the club level and 2 titles with Curaçao.
15. Emmanuel Sanon (Haiti)
Emmanuel Sanon
Emmanuel Sanon will live in the minds of Haitians forever, he scored the countries two only World Cup goals in the 1974 tournament. One of those goals snapped Dino Zoff’s no-goal streak and he went on to play many years in Belgium for Beerschot. France Football named Sanon one of the 100 Heroes of the World Cup. Sanon scored 47 goals in 100 caps for Haiti.
14. Ricardo Fuller (Jamaica)
Ricardo Fuller
Ricardo Fuller is another Jamaican export, born in Kingston, Fuller went on to have a lengthy career in England playing for various Championship sides. Fuller was able to play in the EPL for Portsmouth and Stoke City, He has scored 134 goals in his career and had 9 goals in 72 appearances for Jamaica.
13. Jean-Jacques Pierre (Haiti)
Jean-Jacques Pierre
Jean-Jacques Pierre was a tough defender that had a vagabond career, he started in his native Haiti before moving to Arsenal in Argentina and later playing for Uruguayan giant Peñarol. From Peñarol he moved to France and Greece. Pierre earned over 60 caps for Haiti and scored 5 goals.
12. Roberto Pereira (Cuba)
Roberto Pereira
Roberto Pereira is one of the most famous soccer players from Cuba, unfortunately, a lot of his stats have been lost. Nonetheless many pundits claimed he was highly skilled and could have had a great professional career outside the island. He played for Cuba in the 1976 Summer Olympics and the 1980 Summer Olympics. Pereira retired in 1986, never being able to truly see where his career could have taken him.
11. Henri Françillon (Haiti)
Henri Françillon
Henri Françillon played in goal for the 1974 Haiti World Cup team, and like many players of that team that surprised the world he played in 1806 Munich for 1 season. He played most of his career for Victory FC in Haiti and is considered one of the best keepers in CONCACAF history.
10. Frank Sinclair (Jamaica)
Frank Sinclair
Without question Frank Sinclair is one of the best Caribbean defenders of all-time. He played 8 seasons with Chelsea and won the FA Cup in 1997 and the old Cup Winners Cup the following season. While he was born in England, he chose to represent Jamaica and played in the 1998 World Cup.
9. Robbie Earle (Jamaica)
Robbie Earle
The hardworking midfielder, Robbie Earle played over 200 games for Wimbledon and Port Vale in England. He was one of 7 players born in England that chose to represent Jamaica and played in the 1998 World Cup. Earle scored over 100 goals in his career mostly in England, he would later move to broadcasting after his playing days were over.
8. Russell Latapy (Trinidad and Tobago)
Russell Latapy
Russell Latapy was another silky midfielder from Trinidad and Tobago, he played much of his professional career in Portugal and played for FC Porto winning 2 Portuguese titles. He also played in Scotland for Rangers, in total Latapy won 7 titles in his career. He played in the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago and retired in 2011 playing in Scotland.
7. Juan Tuñas (Cuba)
Juan Tuñas
Juan Tuñas was a powerful striker and had the nickname “net breaker” for his powerful shots on goal. He played for the Cuban national team in the 1938 World Cup and played most of his career in Cuba before ending his career in Mexico for Real España. Tuñas won two league titles in Mexico and is considered one of the best players Cuba ever produced.
6. Theodore Whitmore (Jamaica)
Theodore Whitmore
Theodore Whitmore is synonymous with the Jamaican National Team, he played 124 games for his country scoring 24 goals. The tough midfielder born in Montego Bay, most notably played for Hull City in England. Whitmore after his retirement has been involved with the Jamaican national team in various coaching capacities since 2007.
5.Shaka Hislop (Trinidad and Tobago)
Shaka Hislop
Born in England, Shaka Hislop wears the T&T flag proudly! Hislop had a phenomenal career playing in goal for English teams like Reading, Newcastle United, West Ham, and FC Dallas in MLS. Shaka Hislop played 26 times for Trinidad, and since his retirement and move to broadcasting he has used that platform to promote and cause awareness to many Caribbean soccer players. A true ambassador of the game.
4. Deon Burton (Jamaica)
Deon Burton
Deon Burton was the face of the 1998 Jamaican World Cup team and had an extensive career in England playing for numerous clubs. He scored over 100 goals in 600 games in his career, Burton is known most for his play for the Jamaican national team and his time at Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.
3. Onandi Lowe (Jamaica)
Onandi Lowe
The big man from Kingston is the second leading goal scorer on the Jamaican national team, but at the club level he was much more effective than Luton Shelton. At the club level Onandi Lowe scored over 100 goals in his career most notably for Rushden & Diamonds in England. The big forward played in MLS, England, and his native Jamaica.
2. Stern John (Trinidad and Tobago)
Stern John
Stern John burst on to the scene in his two seasons in MLS for the Columbus Crew in the early days of MLS. He scored 44 goals in 54 appearances and was quickly sold to Nottingham Forest in England and began a successful career overseas. John formed a formidable partnership with Dwight Yorke on the national team, scoring 70 goals in 115 appearances. John is one of the Caribbean’s all-time best exports.
1. Dwight Yorke (Trinidad and Tobago)
Dwight Yorke
A man who needs no introduction, Dwight Yorke is the greatest Caribbean soccer player of all-time. Yorke played for Aston Villa, but most famously for Manchester United where he was one of the EPL’s most feared forwards. At Manchester United, Yorke won 4 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, the famous 1999 UEFA Champions League, and the icing on the cake 1 Intercontinental Cup. Yorke scored 19 goals for his country and won various individual awards.
