Jeriel De Santis Stays Firm: “My Biggest Dream Is to Play for Venezuela”

With Peru all but eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, talk has shifted to the team’s future. One name surfacing is Jeriel De Santis, the 23-year-old striker currently shining for Caracas FC. But when asked about his international future, De Santis made his intentions clear.

The forward, who was born in Venezuela and has Peruvian heritage through his mother, remains eligible for both national teams. Though he played for Venezuela in the U-17 South American Championship, that does not cap-tie him at the senior level.

Still, his heart appears set. “I haven’t received a call from anyone — neither Venezuela nor Peru — but I’ve said before that my biggest dream is to debut with the Venezuelan national team,” he said in an interview with SOLOVENEX.

He admitted the competition is tough: “It’s not easy, we have many strikers with great quality, but I’m always open to possibilities. Let’s see what happens in the coming months.”

On the club front, Caracas FC will not activate the purchase clause, so De Santis is set to return to Alianza Lima, with whom he has a contract until the end of July. Journalist Peter Arévalo confirmed the move, adding that Alianza will decide his next steps.

During his stint in Venezuela, De Santis enjoyed a strong campaign with 6 goals in 13 matches, including a recent brace in the Venezuelan Cup.