Venezuelan Gleiker Mendoza named Ukraine's top league footballer

Venezuelan winger Gleiker Mendoza has been recognized as the best player in the Ukrainian Premier League for the 2025-26 season. The award celebrates his significant contribution to FC Kryvbas, where he was involved in 22 goals throughout the campaign.

Mendoza played 2,117 minutes, scoring eleven goals and providing eleven assists. The league announced his recognition based on fan polls that rated him as the top performer. He finished ahead of Matviy Ponomarenko of Dynamo and Alisson of Shakhtar Donetsk. Mendoza is set to join the league champions, Shakhtar Donetsk, for the upcoming UEFA Champions League season, having been announced as their new player on May 22.

Concurrently, Mendoza was participating in the June FIFA international window with the Venezuelan national team, known as La Vinotinto. He scored his first goal for Venezuela in a match against Turkey, though the team ultimately lost. He also played 75 minutes in Venezuela's 2-0 victory over Iraq.

Mendoza debuted for La Vinotinto in January 2025 under coach Fernando Batista. After Batista's departure and Oswaldo Vizcarrondo's appointment, Mendoza has seen increased playing time, starting in seven matches and contributing a goal and an assist.