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Juan Valerón UD Las Palmas

Full Name Juan Carlos Valerón Santana

Date of Birth June 17, 1975

Place of Birth Arguineguín, Spain

Height 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)

Playing Position Attacking midfielder

Juan Valerón (born Juan Carlos Valerón Santana) was born on 17 June 1975. He plays for Spanish football team Unión Deportiva Las Palmas as an attacking midfielder. Known for his exceptional technical skills, the footballer has played in 390 games and chalked up 90 goals in La Liga for 15 seasons. Valerón represented Spain in two European Championships and the 2002 World Cup, which made him achieve 46 caps. He used to play for Club Atlético de Madrid, Deportivo de La Coruña, and Real Club Deportivo Mallorca.

Action-Packed Career

His football career started with UD Las Palmas. But he moved to the Balearic Islands and represented RCD Mallorca between 1997 and 1998 seasons. Valerón first appearance La Liga was on 31 August 1997 with a 2-1 home win over Valencia Club de Fútbol in a 10-minute game. During his stay with RCD Mallorca, he greatly helped the club secure the much-coveted qualification for the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. The team closed fifth in the competition and hit the last leg of Copa del Rey. But the Futbol Club Barcelona ended their stint with a penalty shootout.

Two years later, the young player joined Atlético Madrid in which he became the undisputed starter until after the club’s relegation in 2000. Valerón also played for Deportivo and shared position with Brazilian football player Djalma Feitosa Dias (or Djalminha). In 2004, Valerón spent the remainder of his booming career in Galicia.

But an unfortunate incident halted him in his tracks. In January 2006, Valerón sustained a knee injury that relapsed a year after. The professional footballer only managed to take part in two leagues during his recuperation period. Then, he had another surgery.

The renowned footballer did not reemerge until the 2007-2008 campaign. Valerón marked his comeback to Deportivo when they reaped a 3-1 home victory against Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol. This time, Valerón became a significant first-team player both in Spain and Europe.

Between the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the football player became Deportivo’s undeniable starter. As his team reclaimed their top flight as champions, Valerón attained a career-best five goals in nearly 3,000 minute action in Segunda División. The professional player recorded 422 games and scored 32 goals. But in 2013, Valerón decided to end the contract and returned to his first football team.

Valerón went back to UD Las Palmas again and inked a 1+1 contract. He was still a vital first-team member even after he left the club for 16 years. He gained promotion to the leading flight in 2015. Also, Valerón also renewed his contract with the Amarillos and resurfaced in the top league. The 22-minute game led to a 1-2 away loss to Barcelona, his first game in the First Division after 847 days. He became the fifth oldest player to join the league. In December, Valerón was promoted to one position higher after playing as a substitute versus Real Betis Balompié.

The recognized footballer played in a 2-2 friendly draw with Italy in Salerno. Valerón also joined Spain’s national team at UEFA Euro in the 2002 World Cup, where they notched a 3-1 triumph against Slovenia. In Euro 2004, the team made a 1-0 win versus Russia.

Recognition

Valerón is recognized as one of the most reputable players in Spain. His manager Juan Antonio Anquela described the football player as a reference to the nation’s football. Coach Vicente del Bosque said Valerón would always suit in the country’s national team. Coach Andrés Iniesta mentioned he would pay to see Valerón in a football arena.

National teammate and FC Barcelona manager Luis Enrique commended his pitch. Former Dutch footballers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Roy Makaay considered him as the best player they played with.

UD Las Palmas fellow Javi Castellano hailed Valerón for his honesty and humility. His team’s President Miguel Ángel Ramírez was attempting to convince Valerón to play another season to bid farewell to all Spanish stadia.

Life Outside Football

Valerón , although known for his devotion to the Lord, confessed he and his family are not part of any religion. His older brother, Miguel Ángel, was a footballer and a midfielder. Together with his other sibling Pedro, they established a football club called Abrisajac, a hybrid of Biblical names Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Manu, Valerón nephew, is a Las Palmas player as well.