Juan Carlos Ablanedo
Juan Carlos Ablanedo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Juan Carlos Ablanedo Iglesias September 2, 1963 Mieres, Asturias, Spain |
| Occupation | Footballer (retired) |
| Years active | 1983–1999 |
| Known for | Goalkeeper for Sporting de Gijón; Spain international |
Juan Carlos Ablanedo Iglesias (; born 2 September 1963) is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Renowned for his remarkable reflexes, which earned him the nickname El gato (the cat), Ablanedo dedicated almost two decades to his hometown team, Sporting de Gijón.
Club career
Originating from Mieres, Asturias, Ablanedo progressed through the esteemed youth system of Sporting de Gijón, known as Mareo. He made his first appearance for the senior squad on 2 January 1983, entering as a substitute in a 1–0 victory against RCD Espanyol. Although his early years featured limited playing time, he eventually secured the position of Sporting’s primary goalkeeper, amassing 399 appearances in La Liga. A highlight of his tenure was during the 1986–87 season when he participated in 42 out of 44 matches, contributing to Sporting’s fourth-place league finish.
Ablanedo concluded his playing career after the 1998–99 season, by which time Sporting was competing in the Segunda División. His later years were marked by notable injuries that curtailed his involvement on the field. Throughout his career, he was honored with the prestigious Ricardo Zamora Trophy on three occasions, reflecting his standing among Spain’s elite goalkeepers.
International career
Representing Spain, Ablanedo earned four caps, making his debut on 24 September 1986 in a friendly held in Gijón where Spain defeated Greece 3–1. He was selected as a reserve goalkeeper for the national team during both the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cups. Prior to this, he played a role in Spain’s under-21 squad that secured the UEFA European Under-21 Championship title in 1986.
Personal life
His elder brother, José Luis Ablanedo, also played professionally as a defender for Sporting Gijón. During their concurrent careers at the club, they were differentiated as Ablanedo I and Ablanedo II.
Honours
Spain U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1986
Individual
- Ricardo Zamora Trophy: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1989–90