Juan Carlos Ablanedo Iglesias (; born 2 September 1963) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Due to his above-average reflexes, he was nicknamed El gato (cat), and represented local club Sporting de Gijón for almost 20 years as a professional.
Ablanedo was born in Mieres, Asturias. He played solely for Sporting de Gijón after being a product of the club's famed youth system, Mareo, and received his first-team debut on 2 January 1983, as a second-half substitute in a 1âÂÂ0 home win against RCD Español after José Aurelio Rivero was sent off.
After two further games in the following season, Ablanedo became the Asturian side's undisputed starter, totalling 399 in La Liga. In the 1986âÂÂ87 campaign, as Sporting finished fourth, he appeared in 42 matches (out of 44, as the league had a second stage).
Ablanedo retired from football at the end of 1998âÂÂ99, with Sporting now in the Segunda División. He also had some serious injuries during his career, making only two appearances in his last season and none whatsoever in 1991âÂÂ92. He was awarded the Ricardo Zamora Trophy three times.
Ablanedo earned four caps for Spain, the first coming on 24 September 1986 in a 3âÂÂ1 friendly victory over Greece in Gijón. He was a backup at both the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cups.
Previously, Ablanedo helped the nation's under-21s to win the 1986 European Championship.
Ablanedo's older brother, José Luis, was also a footballer. A defender, he too played several top-tier seasons with Sporting, and they were hence known as Ablanedo I and Ablanedo II.
Spain U21
Individual