Famous New Zealander Football Players

Marco Rojas is a talented New Zealand professional footballer known for his skills as a forward for Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand national football team. He gained recognition during his time with Melbourne Victory in the A-League, where fans affectionately called him the Kiwi Messi due to his exceptional ball control and goal-scoring abilities. Rojas has built a successful career showcasing his talent on the field and remains a key player for both club and country.

Shane Smeltz is a former professional footballer from New Zealand who excelled as a striker throughout his career. He began playing in Australia before moving to England for a period. From 2007 onwards, he mainly featured in the A-League, with brief spells in Turkey and Malaysia. Smeltz achieved significant success in the A-League, becoming its second-highest goalscorer and notably leading the scoring charts for Gold Coast United. He also made a mark on the international stage, scoring 24 goals in 58 appearances for New Zealand and participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Sarpreet Singh is a talented New Zealand professional footballer known for his role as an attacking midfielder for the New Zealand national team. He began his career with Onehunga Sports before joining the Wellington Phoenix Academy in 2015. Singh made his competitive senior debut for the Wellington Phoenix and later earned his first international call-up in 2018. After a successful stint with the New Zealand national under-20 team, he signed a three-year deal with Bayern Munich and made his senior team debut in 2019.

Marko Stamenić is a professional footballer from New Zealand who currently plays as a midfielder for Olympiacos on loan from Nottingham Forest. He began his career at the Olé Football Academy before signing with FC Copenhagen in 2020. Stamenić later moved to Red Star Belgrade in 2023 after making appearances in the UEFA Champions League. He is also a member of the New Zealand national team, showcasing his skills and versatility on the field.

Ryan Nelsen is a former New Zealand professional football player who started his career in 1995 with Christchurch United. Known for his role as a defender, he captained the New Zealand national team and played for MLS side D.C. United before moving to Blackburn Rovers in England. He also had a brief stint at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Queens Park Rangers. In 2013, he returned to MLS as the head coach of Toronto FC but was later fired in 2014.

Tyler Boyd is a professional soccer player known for his skill as a winger. He currently plays for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC and has also represented the United States national team. Boyd has garnered attention for his talent and versatility on the field, contributing to his team's success in various competitions. With his speed, technical ability, and goal-scoring prowess, Boyd has established himself as a valuable asset in the world of professional soccer.

Winston Reid is a retired professional footballer from New Zealand. He primarily played as a defender for West Ham United in the Premier League, where he served as team captain. Reid also represented the New Zealand national team and showcased his skills while on loan at clubs like Sporting Kansas City and Brentford. With a successful career that spanned various clubs and competitions, Reid established himself as a reliable and talented player known for his defensive abilities and leadership on the field.

Liberato Cacace is a talented New Zealand professional footballer known for his skills as a left-back. He currently plays for Serie A club Empoli and represents the New Zealand national team. Cacace's career has been marked by consistent performances and a strong defensive presence on the field. His agility and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively make him a valuable asset to his team. With a promising future ahead, Cacace continues to showcase his talent and passion for the sport at the highest level.

Kosta Barbarouses is a professional footballer from New Zealand known for his skills as a winger. He currently plays for the A-League Men club Wellington Phoenix FC. Throughout his career, Barbarouses has showcased his talent on the field, impressing fans and critics alike with his speed, agility, and goal-scoring abilities. His contributions to the sport have earned him a reputation as a valuable asset to his team, and he continues to make significant impacts in matches with his dynamic playing style.

Tommy Smith is a versatile professional footballer who primarily plays as a centre back but can also operate as a left back. Starting his career at Ipswich Town academy, he made over 240 appearances for the club before moving to MLS side Colorado Rapids in January 2018. Smith then joined Sunderland in February 2020 and later signed with Colchester United in the same year. His experience and adaptability have made him a valuable asset to various teams throughout his career.

Joe Bell is a talented New Zealand professional footballer known for his role as a defensive midfielder. Currently playing for Viking in the Eliteserien league, he showcases his skills on the field with dedication and precision. Bell's commitment to the sport has also earned him a spot on the New Zealand national team, where he continues to make significant contributions. With a focus on defensive strategies and midfield control, Bell's performance exemplifies his expertise and passion for the game.

Ali Riley is a professional footballer known for her role as a defender for Angel City in the NWSL. She represents the New Zealand national team and holds the captaincy for both her club and country. With an impressive collegiate career at Stanford, she led her team to multiple NCAA semi-finals and one final. Riley's leadership on the field is evident through her consistent performance and dedication to the sport, making her a respected figure in women's soccer.

Michael Boxall is a professional footballer from New Zealand known for his defensive skills. Currently playing for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United, he also represents the New Zealand national team. Boxall's career highlights include showcasing his talent as a reliable defender on the field. With his strong defensive abilities and dedication to the sport, he has earned a solid reputation among fans and peers alike. As a key player for both club and country, Boxall continues to make significant contributions to the world of soccer.

Nando Pijnaker is a professional footballer from New Zealand known for his role as a center back for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He also represents the New Zealand national team, showcasing his talent on the international stage. Pijnaker's skills and dedication have earned him a reputable position within the football community, as he continues to make significant contributions to both his club and country through his performances on the field.

Andrew Durante is a retired New Zealand international footballer who played as a defender. He currently serves as the 1st team Assistant & Development Coach for Western United, where he also fulfills the role of Player Welfare and Development Manager. In 2023, Durante was appointed as Assistant Coach of the Philippines women's national football team. Throughout his career, he has played for various clubs in Australia and Singapore, including Sydney United, Newcastle Jets, and Wellington Phoenix, where he holds the record for most appearances.

Michael Woud is a talented professional footballer from New Zealand who showcases his skills as a goalkeeper for Auckland FC in the A-League Men club. His expertise and dedication have also earned him a spot on the New Zealand national football team. With a strong presence on the field and a reliable performance record, Woud continues to make significant contributions to his teams, showcasing his abilities and passion for the sport at a professional level.

Jai Ingham is a professional footballer known for his role as a winger for National Premier Leagues club South Melbourne. With a diverse background including New Zealand and Samoan heritage, Ingham has showcased his skills on the international stage representing New Zealand. His career highlights include impressive performances on the field, demonstrating his talent and dedication to the sport. Ingham's contributions to the teams he has played for have solidified his reputation as a skilled and versatile player in the world of football.

Niko Kirwan is a talented New Zealand professional footballer known for his skills as a midfielder. Currently playing for Italian Serie C Group A club Padova, he has established himself as a key player for both his club and the New Zealand national team. With his strategic playmaking abilities and strong presence on the field, Kirwan continues to impress fans and teammates alike. His dedication to the sport and commitment to excellence have contributed to his success in the competitive world of professional football.

Alex Rufer is a talented New Zealand professional footballer known for his role as a defensive midfielder for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. With strong leadership skills, he also serves as the captain of the team. Rufer's dedication and skill on the field have earned him recognition as a key player for Wellington Phoenix. His strategic positioning and ability to break up opposition plays make him a valuable asset to the team, contributing to their success in the league.

Wynton Alan Whai Rufer is a retired New Zealand professional footballer known for his successful career as a striker. He played for over a decade in Switzerland and Germany, achieving his greatest success at Werder Bremen. Rufer won four major titles and was the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League 1993–94 season. He represented the New Zealand national team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Recognized for his talent, he was named the Oceania Footballer of the Century by the Oceania Football Confederation.

Kayne Vincent is a New Zealand professional footballer currently playing as a forward for Western Springs in the Northern League. He has played football in various countries including Japan, New Zealand, India, Australia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Notably, he gained significant attention as one of the prominent foreign players in the 2016 Malaysia Premier League. Vincent's versatile experience across different leagues showcases his adaptability and skill in the sport, contributing to his reputation as a talented and well-traveled athlete.

Michael James Fitzgerald is a professional footballer known for his role as a centre-back at Albirex Niigata in Japan. Having spent his entire career at the club, Fitzgerald has established himself as a reliable player on the team. A naturalized Japanese citizen since 2013, he also represented the New Zealand national football team, earning 3 caps. With a strong presence on the field, Fitzgerald's skills and dedication have made him a valuable asset to both his club and national team.

Matthew Garbett is a dynamic midfielder known for his skillful play and tactical awareness on the field. He has established himself as a key player for Eredivisie club NAC Breda, contributing significantly to the team's performances. His versatility and ability to control the midfield have earned him a spot in the New Zealand national team, where he continues to showcase his talent at an international level. With a promising career ahead of him, Garbett is considered a rising star in the world of professional football.

Leo Bertos is a prominent figure in New Zealand football, known for his contributions as both a player and a coach. As a former player, he represented New Zealand at the international level, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Transitioning into coaching, Bertos currently serves as the head coach of Northern NSW NPL side Weston Bears. His experience as a winger and his time as a national team player have equipped him with valuable knowledge and insights that he now imparts in his coaching role.

Nikola Tzanev is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League One club Northampton Town. He started his career at the Brentford Academy before moving to AFC Wimbledon in 2017. By 2021, he became the first-choice goalkeeper for AFC Wimbledon. However, he transferred to Northampton Town in the 2023-24 season after losing his first-choice status at AFC Wimbledon. Tzanev is also a New Zealand international player.

Joe Champness is a versatile professional footballer and rapper hailing from New Zealand. He currently showcases his skills as a winger for Auckland FC and proudly represents the New Zealand national team on the international stage. With a background in both countries, Champness made the significant decision to switch his allegiance from Australia to New Zealand in 2021. Known for his dynamic playing style, he continues to make a name for himself both on and off the field with his dual talents in football and music.

Bill Tuiloma is a New Zealand professional footballer known for his versatility in playing as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer. He has gained international recognition since 2013, representing New Zealand on the global stage. Tuiloma made history as the first New Zealander to compete in Ligue 1, showcasing his skills in the top tier of French football. With a successful career in both domestic and international competitions, Tuiloma continues to make an impact in the world of professional soccer.

Alehana Mara had a successful career as a professional international rugby league footballer. He played for notable teams such as the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League and the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup. Known for his skills and contributions on the field, Mara garnered recognition for his performances. Throughout his career, he showcased his talent and dedication to the sport, leaving a lasting impact on the teams he played for and the fans who supported him.

Abby Erceg is a respected professional footballer from New Zealand who currently excels as a centre-back for Racing Louisville FC in the NWSL. She has a notable career history having played for various clubs such as Jena in Germany, the Chicago Red Stars, and the Western New York Flash / North Carolina Courage, where she achieved three NWSL Championships. Erceg's remarkable achievements extend to the international stage, where she made history as the first player from New Zealand to reach 100 international matches.

Ricki Herbert is a prominent figure in New Zealand football, having served as a player, manager, and director of football. He gained recognition for his accomplishments with the New Zealand national team, including leading them to the 2010 FIFA World Cup unbeaten. Herbert also coached the Maldives national team and is currently the director of football at Hamilton Wanderers AFC. His contributions to football in New Zealand and on the international stage have solidified his reputation as a respected and experienced figure in the sport.

Themistoklis Tzimopoulos is a professional footballer from Greece who currently plays as a centre-back for Super League 2 club Kozani. Over the years, he has showcased his skills and expertise on the field, gaining recognition for his defensive prowess and strategic gameplay. Tzimopoulos has proven to be a valuable asset to his teams, contributing to their success with his strong defensive abilities and leadership qualities. With his experience and dedication to the sport, he continues to make a significant impact in professional football.

Shane Arthur Rufer is a former New Zealand association football player who represented his country on nineteen occasions between 1979 and 1985. He played as a centre forward, midfielder, and defender, showcasing his versatility on the field. Rufer had trials with clubs like Norwich City and Gillingham, but work permit issues prevented him from signing. His professional career spanned various teams and opportunities, contributing to the sport both on and off the field.

Rebecca Jane Rolls is a versatile athlete who excelled in both cricket and football, representing New Zealand in both sports. In cricket, she showcased her skills as a wicket-keeper and right-handed batter, participating in various international matches over a decade. She played for Central Districts and Auckland in domestic cricket. In football, she made significant contributions through 21 appearances for New Zealand, demonstrating her athleticism and adaptability across multiple sporting disciplines. Her professional career highlights her commitment and talent as a dual-sport athlete.