Juan Carlos Ablanedo Iglesias (Spanish pronunciation: [xwaŋ ˈkaɾlos aβlaˈneðo];^{[lower-alpha 1]} 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.^[1][2]

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 1–0 home win against RCD Español after José Aurelio Rivero was sent off.^[3]

After two further games the following season, Ablanedo became the Asturian side's undisputed starter, totalling 399 in La Liga.^[4] In the 1986–87 campaign, as Sporting finished fourth, he appeared in 42 matches (out of 44, as the league had a second stage).

Ablanedo retired from football after 1998–99, with Sporting now in the Segunda División.^[5] He also had some serious injuries during his career, making only two appearances in his last season and none whatsoever in 1991–92.^[6][7][8] He was awarded the Ricardo Zamora Trophy three times.^[1][9]

Ablanedo earned four caps for Spain, the first coming on 24 September 1986 in a 3–1 friendly victory over Greece in Gijón.^[10] He was a backup at both the 1986^[11] and 1990 FIFA World Cups.^[12]

Previously, Ablanedo helped the nation's under-21s to conquer the 1986 European Championship.^[13]

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.^[14]

Spain U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1986^[13]

Individual

• Ricardo Zamora Trophy: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1989–90^[14]

• List of one-club men