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Juan Carlos Valerón

{{Short description|Spanish footballer}}

{{Redirect|Valerón|otheruses|Valeron (disambiguation){{!}}Valeron}}

{{family name hatnote|Valerón|Santana|lang=Spanish}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Juan Carlos Valerón

| image = Juan Carlos Valerón 20minutos.jpg

| upright =

| caption = Valerón in the 2000s

| full_name = Juan Carlos Valerón Santana{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/envivos/fichas/1/160/160.html|title=Juan Carlos VALERÓN Santana|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|access-date=16 July 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|6|17|df=y}}

| birth_place = Arguineguín, Spain

| height = 1.80 m

| position = Attacking midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1987–1990 | youthclubs1 = Arguineguín

| youthyears2 = 1990–1994 | youthclubs2 = Las Palmas

| years1 = 1994–1995 | clubs1 = Las Palmas B | caps1 = 25 | goals1 = 7

| years2 = 1995–1997 | clubs2 = Las Palmas | caps2 = 54 | goals2 = 5

| years3 = 1997–1998 | clubs3 = Mallorca | caps3 = 36 | goals3 = 3

| years4 = 1998–2000 | clubs4 = Atlético Madrid | caps4 = 65 | goals4 = 7

| years5 = 2000–2013 | clubs5 = Deportivo La Coruña | caps5 = 328 | goals5 = 24

| years6 = 2013–2016 | clubs6 = Las Palmas | caps6 = 82 | goals6 = 3

| years7 = 2016–2017 | clubs7 = Abrisajac | caps7 = | goals7 =

| totalcaps = 590 | totalgoals = 49

| nationalyears1 = 1997–1998 | nationalteam1 = Spain U21 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1997 | nationalteam2 = Spain U23 | nationalcaps2 = 4 | nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 1998–2005 | nationalteam3 = Spain | nationalcaps3 = 46 | nationalgoals3 = 5

| manageryears1 = 2016–2019 | managerclubs1 = Las Palmas (youth)

| manageryears2 = 2017 | managerclubs2 = Las Palmas (assistant)

| manageryears3 = 2018 | managerclubs3 = Las Palmas B (assistant)

| manageryears4 = 2019 | managerclubs4 = Las Palmas B (assistant)

| manageryears5 = 2020–2021 | managerclubs5 = Deportivo B

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ESP}}}}

{{Medal|Competition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}}

{{Medal|W|1998 Romania|}}

}}

Juan Carlos Valerón Santana (born 17 June 1975) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Over 15 seasons, he amassed La Liga totals of 390 matches and 29 goals with Mallorca, Atlético Madrid and Deportivo, spending 13 years with the latter club. He started and finished his 22-year senior career with Las Palmas.

Valerón represented Spain in the 2002 World Cup and two European Championships, earning 46 caps.{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2013/06/01/futbol/1370123267.html|title=Un genio dice adiós|trans-title=A genius says goodbye|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=1 June 2013|access-date=21 June 2024}}

Playing career

=Club=

==Early years==

Born in Arguineguín, Gran Canaria,{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol-internacional/2011/08/26/eldesvan/12684.html|title=Valerón, el hechicero de Arguineguín|trans-title=Valerón, the wizard of Arguineguín|publisher=Vavel|first=Mariano|last=Jesús Camacho|language=es|date=26 August 2011|access-date=16 July 2020}} Valerón started playing with hometown's Las Palmas, but switched to the Balearic Islands in the 1997–98 season, representing Mallorca and making his La Liga debut on 31 August 1997 by playing ten minutes in a 2–1 home win over Valencia.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1997/09/01/081.html|title=Venganza en Mallorca|trans-title=Revenge in Mallorca|newspaper=ABC|first=Cristina|last=Infante|language=es|date=1 September 1997|access-date=14 March 2016}}

He was an instrumental figure in the club's qualification for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, with the team also finishing fifth in the league and reaching the final of the Copa del Rey, lost to eventual champions Barcelona in a penalty shoot-out.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD03/HEM/1998/04/30/MD19980430-004.pdf|title=La Copa más histórica|trans-title=The most historical Cup|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Andrés|last=Astruells|language=es|date=30 April 1998|access-date=14 March 2016}}

==Atlético and Deportivo==

In the next two years, Valerón played for Atlético Madrid where he was an undisputed starter but, following the side's relegation in 2000, he joined Deportivo de La Coruña, sharing club and position with equally talented Brazilian Djalminha. He gradually would become first choice,{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/2001/10/26/deportes/1004047204_850215.html|title=Djalminha exige la titularidad|trans-title=Djalminha demands to start|newspaper=El País|first=Diego|last=Torres|language=es|date=26 October 2001|access-date=12 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2003/11/10/mas_futbol/1068418804_850215.html|title=Djalminha volvió para demostrar que Valerón tiene sustituto|trans-title=Djalminha returned to show Valerón is replaceable|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=10 November 2003|access-date=12 April 2016}} signing a contract to eventually see off the remainder of his career with the Galicians in February 2004.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/019a-0e6acb8bb72a-b9b1949d54f4-1000--valeron-shows-devotion-to-depor/|title=Valerón shows devotion to Depor|publisher=UEFA|date=9 February 2004|access-date=18 February 2009}}

In January 2006, however, Valerón started a bad run with injuries. He suffered a knee injury{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025e-0f90a0644408-453c872ca28e-1000--valeron-suffers-injury-blow/|title=Valerón suffers injury blow|publisher=UEFA|date=22 January 2006|access-date=22 March 2025}} which relapsed in July{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=440661.html|title=Tottenham hit by King injury blow|publisher=UEFA|date=30 July 2006|access-date=14 November 2018}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and early 2007 (with him only managing two league appearances in the process), leading to another surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=518254.html|title=Crucial surgery nears for Valerón|publisher=UEFA|date=20 March 2007|access-date=14 November 2018}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Consequently, he did not reappear until midway through the 2007–08 campaign.

File:Juan Carlos Valerón.jpg

On 27 January 2008, Valerón returned to the bench in Deportivo's 3–1 home win against Real Valladolid, coming on as a substitute for Andrés Guardado for the final 15 minutes – his first match for over a year.{{cite news|url=http://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/cronica-deportivo-valladolid-339848/0/|title=Lotina respira tras vencer al Valladolid en la vuelta de Valerón (3–1)|trans-title=Lotina breathes after beating Valladolid in return of Valerón (3–1)|newspaper=20 minutos|language=es|date=27 January 2008|access-date=6 November 2017}} In 2008–09, aged 33, he eventually became an important first-team fixture again,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01d5-0e70c82c481e-aae45705ddcc-1000--valeron-thankful-for-new-lease-of-life/|title=Valerón thankful for new lease of life|publisher=UEFA|first=Paul|last=Bryan|date=28 January 2009|access-date=18 February 2009}} both on domestic and European fronts.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/fixturesresults/round=15293/match=302906/report=rp.html|title=Valerón fires Depor through|publisher=UEFA|first=Paul|last=Bryan|date=26 July 2008|access-date=18 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012100433/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/fixturesresults/round%3D15293/match%3D302906/report%3Drp.html|archive-date=12 October 2008}}

The 36-year-old Valerón was an undisputed starter for Depor in the 2011–12 season, scoring a career-best five goals in nearly 3,000 minutes of action in Segunda División as his team returned to the top flight after one year out, as champions.{{cite news|url=http://eldia.es/2013-04-15/deportes/14-Valeron-anos-genio.htm|title=Valerón, 37 años de un genio|trans-title=Valerón, 37 years of a genius|newspaper=El Día|first=Carlos Alberto|last=Fernández|language=es|date=15 April 2013|access-date=16 May 2013}} Even though he had a contract until 2015, he chose to leave in June 2013,{{cite web|url=http://www.football-espana.net/31396/valeron-announces-depor-exit|title=Valeron announces Depor exit|publisher=Football España|date=2 June 2013|access-date=22 October 2015}} having taken part in 422 games in all competitions (32 goals).{{cite news|url=https://www.laopinioncoruna.es/deportivo/2024/06/29/valeron-depor-cuestion-tiempo-104568748.html|title=Valerón y el Dépor, cuestión de tiempo|trans-title=Valerón and Dépor, a matter of time|newspaper=La Opinión A Coruña|first1=Carlos|last1=Miranda|first2=Marcos|last2=Otero|language=es|date=29 June 2024|access-date=12 July 2024}}

==Return to Las Palmas==

On 14 July 2013, following another Deportivo relegation, Valerón returned to his first club Las Palmas after 16 years, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second.{{cite web|url=http://www.udlaspalmas.es/actualidad-noticias-4811|title=Juan Carlos Valerón vuelve a la Unión Deportiva Las Palmas|trans-title=Juan Carlos Valerón returns to Unión Deportiva Las Palmas|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=14 July 2013|access-date=16 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717122524/http://udlaspalmas.es/actualidad-noticias-4811|archive-date=17 July 2013}} He continued to be an important first-team member during his tenure, achieving promotion to the top flight in 2015.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2015/05/06/segunda/1430875241_039265.html|title=Valerón: "Hace ya varios años que yo me planteo el final"|trans-title=Valerón: "I have been brooding over the end for several years"|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Rafael|last=León|language=es|date=6 May 2015|access-date=13 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://es.eurosport.yahoo.com/noticias/valer%c3%b3n-despedirse-espa%c3%b1a-ascenso-palmas-142730382--sow.html|title=Valerón podrá despedirse por toda España después del ascenso de Las Palmas|trans-title=Valerón will be able to say goodbye throughout Spain after Las Palmas' promotion|publisher=Eurosport|language=es|date=22 June 2015|access-date=13 July 2015}}

In summer 2015, Valerón renewed his contract with the Amarillos for a further year.{{cite web|url=http://www.udlaspalmas.es/-/valeron-renueva-por-una-temporada|title=Valerón renueva por una temporada|trans-title=Valerón renews for a season|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=15 July 2015|access-date=16 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716085138/http://www.udlaspalmas.es/-/valeron-renueva-por-una-temporada|archive-date=16 July 2015}} On 26 September, he first appeared with the club in the top flight, featuring 22 minutes in a 1–2 away loss to Barcelona in what was his first game in the competition in 847 days,{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2015/09/27/futbol/equipos/las_palmas/1443368447.html|title=Valerón volvió a jugar en Primera 847 días después|trans-title=Valerón played again in Primera 847 days later|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=27 September 2015|access-date=21 October 2015}} and becoming the fifth oldest player to play there at the age of 40 years and 101 days;{{cite web|url=http://www.joe.co.uk/sport/evergreen-juan-carlos-valeron-returns-to-la-liga-action-aged-40/16981|title=Evergreen Juan Carlos Valeron returns to La Liga action aged 40|publisher=Joe|first=Tom|last=Victor|date=26 September 2015|access-date=21 October 2015}} he climbed one position on 12 December after coming on as substitute against Real Betis, surpassing former Deportivo teammate Donato.{{cite news|url=http://www.laprovincia.es/ud-las-palmas/2015/12/13/valeron-cuarto-jugador-veterano-jugar/772862.html|title=Valerón es el cuarto jugador más veterano en jugar en Primera|trans-title=Valerón is the fourth most veteran player to play in Primera|newspaper=La Provincia|language=es|date=13 December 2015|access-date=13 December 2015}}

On 1 March 2016, after being featured in a 4–0 home win against Getafe, Valerón appeared in his 400th game in the Spanish top tier.{{cite news|url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/liga-bbva/congratulations-juan-carlos-valeron-played-his-400th-liga-game-4942095|title=Congratulations! Juan Carlos Valeron played his 400th La Liga game|newspaper=Sport|date=2 March 2016|access-date=14 March 2016}} On 7 May, he announced his retirement.{{cite news|url=http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2016/05/07/valeron-anuncia-retirada/00031462625141310765788.htm|title=Valerón anuncia su retirada|trans-title=Valerón announces his retirement|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|first=Alexandre|last=Centeno|language=es|date=7 May 2016|access-date=25 June 2016}}

=International=

A Spain international since 18 November 1998 in a 2–2 friendly draw with Italy in Salerno,{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1998/11/19/pagina-17/400568/pdf.html|title=Notable alto|trans-title=B Plus|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Javier|last=Gascón|language=es|date=19 November 1998|access-date=16 May 2013}} Valerón appeared with the national side at UEFA Euro 2000, the 2002 FIFA World Cup (where he scored in a 3–1 win against Slovenia){{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/spain_v_slovenia/default.stm|title=Spain see off Slovenia|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 June 2002|access-date=16 May 2012}} and Euro 2004,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0254-0d7b44fc5b75-bb339e5a3edf-1000--saez-selects-spain-squad/|title=Sáez selects Spain squad|publisher=UEFA|first=Iván|last=Modia|date=20 May 2004|access-date=16 July 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125060158/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0254-0d7b44fc5b75-bb339e5a3edf-1000--saez-selects-spain-squad/|archive-date=25 November 2020}} netting immediately after coming from the bench in a 1–0 victory over Russia in the latter competition.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3787463.stm|title=Spain 1–0 Russia|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 June 2004|access-date=15 June 2011}}

He made his last appearance for his country on 26 March 2005, a 3–0 defeat of China.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2005/03/27/pagina-4/1309544/pdf.html|title=Aperitivo oriental|trans-title=Oriental hors d'oeuvre|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Manuel|last=Segura|language=es|date=27 March 2005|access-date=17 May 2013}} In late July 2019, he was hired by the Canarian Football Federation to be responsible for the several teams in the region that took part in the corresponding competitions.{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.net/2019/07/29/juan-carlos-valeron-nuevo-seleccionador-canario/|title=Juan Carlos Valerón, nuevo seleccionador canario|trans-title=Juan Carlos Valerón, new Canarian team manager|publisher=UD Las Palmas.net|language=es|date=29 July 2019|access-date=16 December 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/mas-futbol/2019/07/29/5d3f3dd2ca4741971e8b459b.html|title=Juan Carlos Valerón, nuevo seleccionador canario|trans-title=Juan Carlos Valerón, new Canarian team manager|newspaper=Marca|first=Mario|last=De la Santa|language=es|date=29 July 2019|access-date=16 December 2019}}

Coaching career

Shortly after retiring, Valerón began working as a manager after completing the UEFA B course. He was appointed youth coach at Las Palmas{{cite web|url=https://www.tintaamarilla.es/noticia/2016/09/14/164/21325-Valeron_debuta_como_entrenador.html|title=Valerón debuta como entrenador|trans-title=Valerón has debut as coach|publisher=Tinta Amarilla|language=es|date=14 September 2016|access-date=16 December 2019}} and, ahead of the 2017–18 season, was named assistant to Manolo Márquez in the first team;{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/noticia/valeron-y-paquito-ortiz-miembros-del-nuevo-equipo-tecnico-de-la-ud-las-palmas|title=Valerón y Paquito Ortiz, miembros del nuevo equipo técnico de la UD Las Palmas|trans-title=Valerón and Paquito Ortiz, members of UD Las Palmas' new coaching staff|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=3 July 2017|access-date=16 December 2019}} the latter left his position three months later, however, and the former returned to the academy.{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.net/2017/10/02/video-valeron-estrena-su-cargo-como-entrenador-del-infantil-b/|title=(VÍDEO) Valerón estrena su cargo como entrenador del Infantil B|trans-title=(VIDEO) Valerón starts as Infantil B manager|publisher=UD Las Palmas.net|language=es|date=2 October 2017|access-date=16 December 2019}}

On 24 January 2018, Valerón agreed to join Juan Manuel Rodríguez's staff at Las Palmas B, the reserve team. He resigned from his post in June for personal reasons,{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/en/news/new/valeron-leaves-ud-las-palmas|title=Valerón leaves UD Las Palmas|publisher=UD Las Palmas|date=27 June 2018|access-date=16 December 2019}} but the following January resumed his work with the youth sides.{{cite news|url=https://www.canarias7.es/deportes/futbol/juan-carlos-valeron-vuelve-a-trabajar-con-la-cantera-de-la-ud-las-palmas-YB6425463|title=Juan Carlos Valerón vuelve a trabajar con la cantera de la UD Las Palmas|trans-title=Juan Carlos Valerón returns to work with UD Las Palmas youth system|newspaper=Canarias7|language=es|date=22 January 2019|access-date=16 December 2019}}

Valerón returned to his former club Deportivo in June 2020, being appointed manager of the reserves in Tercera División.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2020/06/27/deportivo-repesca-valeron-entrenador-fabril/00031593287141408313871.htm|title=El Deportivo repesca a Valerón como entrenador para el Fabril|trans-title=Deportivo bring back Valerón as manager for Fabril|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|first=M.|last=García|language=es|date=27 June 2020|access-date=8 August 2020}}

Player profile

=Style of play=

A talented and creative attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Valerón was known for his vision and technical abilities, especially his passing skills and ball control, but was also injury-prone and inconsistent.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/spain/players_to_watch/3602295.stm|title=Juan Carlos Valeron|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 May 2004|access-date=17 May 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.diariosdefutbol.com/2007/03/21/juan-carlos-valeron-cronologia-de-una-lesion-maldita/|title=Juan Carlos Valerón, cronología de una lesión maldita|trans-title=Juan Carlos Valerón, chronology of a damn injury|publisher=Diarios de Fútbol|language=es|date=21 March 2007|access-date=15 May 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdm.es/jugadores-de-ayer-y-de-hoy-juan-carlos-valeron/|title=Jugadores de ayer y de hoy: Juan Carlos Valerón|trans-title=Players of yesterday and today: Juan Carlos Valerón|publisher=RCDM|first=Ángel|last=Berastain|language=es|date=20 May 2010|access-date=17 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608202648/http://www.rcdm.es/jugadores-de-ayer-y-de-hoy-juan-carlos-valeron/|archive-date=8 June 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/deportivo-great-valeron-announces-retirement|title=Deportivo great Valeron announces retirement|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=7 May 2016|access-date=17 May 2020}}

=Reception=

File:Camisetavaleron.JPG

Valerón was widely regarded as one of the most respected players in Spain, and as an important figure for Deportivo. Andrés Iniesta said he would pay to watch him play, whilst manager Juan Antonio Anquela called him a reference for Spanish football{{cite web|url=http://www.riazor.org/anquela-si-no-somos-un-equipo-serio-lo-vamos-a-pasar-mal/|title=Anquela: "Si no somos un equipo serio, lo vamos a pasar mal"|trans-title=Anquela: "If we are not a serious team, we are going to suffer"|publisher=Riazor|language=es|date=15 September 2012|access-date=21 October 2015}} and fellow coach Vicente del Bosque admitted that he would always fit in the national team.{{cite news|url=http://www.diariovasco.com/agencias/20111026/deportes/futbol/valeron-agradece-bosque-dijera-encajaria_201110261750.html|title=Valerón agradece que Del Bosque dijera que "encajaría" en la selección|trans-title=Valerón thanks Del Bosque for saying he would always "fit" in the national team|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|language=es|date=26 November 2011|access-date=21 October 2015}} His Las Palmas teammate, Javi Castellano, praised him for his honesty and modesty.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/32837/9953684/juan-carlos-valeron-makes-la-liga-return-at-40-with-las-palmas|title=Juan Carlos Valeron makes La Liga return at 40 with Las Palmas|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Adam|last=Bate|date=22 August 2015|access-date=21 October 2015}}

Miguel Ángel Ramírez, Las Palmas president, said in 2015 he was trying to persuade Valerón to play another season so that he would be able to say goodbye to all the stadia in Spain where he was consistently cheered– this was exemplified by his last game at the Camp Nou, with former national teammate Luis Enrique and coach of the opposing team applauding as he took the pitch.{{cite news|url=http://as.com/m/diarioas/2015/09/26/english/1443292713_250378.html|title=I'm sad about Messi but the team did what they had to do|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Moisés|last=Llorens|date=26 September 2015|access-date=22 October 2015}} Former Dutch internationals Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Roy Makaay claimed he was the best player they had ever played with.

Ahead of his return to the Estadio Riazor in April 2016, Deportivo manager Víctor Sánchez said that Valerón would have won the Ballon d'Or had he played for a more fashionable club.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/deportivo/2016/04/10/570a465a22601d01708b4583.html|title=Víctor: "Valerón en un grande habría sido Balón de Oro"|trans-title=Víctor: "Valerón in a big team would have been Ballon d'Or"|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=10 April 2016|access-date=11 April 2016}}

Personal life

Valerón's older brother, Miguel Ángel, was also a footballer and a midfielder;{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j6588.html|title=Valerón: Miguel Ángel Valerón Santana|publisher=BDFutbol|access-date=4 May 2009}} having represented Las Palmas and Mallorca B, his career was also curtailed by injuries.{{cite news|url=http://www.diariosigloxxi.com/texto-diario/mostrar/73720/miguel-angel-valeron-puse-la-pierna-quizas-ingenuamente|title=Miguel Angel Valerón: "Puse la pierna, quizás ingenuamente"|trans-title=Miguel Angel Valerón: "I went for the challenge, maybe i was naive"|newspaper=Diario Siglo XXI|first=Antonio|last=Sánchez|language=es|date=18 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2009}} Later, together with another sibling, Pedro, they created a football club/school named Abrisajac, from biblical characters Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,{{cite web|url=http://www.teinteresa.es/deportes/familia-Valeron-vuelca-Abrisajac-necesitados_0_1032497683.html|title=La familia Valerón se vuelca con Abrisajac para ayudar a los más necesitados|trans-title=Valerón family joins forces with Abrisajac to help those in need|publisher=Te Interesa|first=Ulises|last=Sánchez Flor|language=es|date=19 November 2013|access-date=21 October 2015}} and Juan Carlos still played there one year before retiring for good.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/primera-plana/2016/09/07/57cf36f2e5fdeaa5328b461a.html|title=Valerón: disfrutar a los 41|trans-title=Valerón: enjoying at 41|newspaper=Marca|first=Jesús|last=Izquierdo|language=es|date=7 September 2016|access-date=22 June 2021}}

Valerón was a close friend of fellow Canarian Manuel Pablo, who also played for Las Palmas, Deportivo and Spain.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2015/07/03/primera/1435923825_692721.html|title=Manuel Pablo: "Yo no me retiro hasta que se retire Valerón"|trans-title=Manuel Pablo: Manuel Pablo: "I will not retire until Valerón does the same"|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Luis|last=De la Cruz|language=es|date=3 July 2015|access-date=21 October 2015}} He was also known for his devotion to God, but admitted that he and his family did not follow any religion.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2015/08/09/futbol/equipos/las_palmas/1439135859.html|title=Valerón, querido abuelo|trans-title=Valerón, dear grandfather|newspaper=Marca|first=Jesús|last=Izquierdo|language=es|date=9 August 2015|access-date=21 October 2015}}

Valerón's nephew, Manu, also played youth football for Las Palmas.{{cite web|url=http://www.tintaamarilla.es/noticia.php?id=1867|title=Manu, el tercer Valerón|trans-title=Manu, the third Valerón|publisher=Tinta Amarilla|language=es|date=7 December 2011|access-date=21 October 2015}}

Career statistics

=Club=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{BDFutbol|1631}}{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=44116/profile/index.html|title=Juan Carlos Valerón|publisher=UEFA|access-date=5 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111174345/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=44116/profile/index.html|archive-date=11 November 2012}}{{Soccerway|juan-carlos-valeron-santana/3074}}

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|Cup

!colspan="2"|Super Cup

!colspan="2"|Continental

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Las Palmas B

|1994–95

|Tercera División

|25

7colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–257
rowspan="3"|Las Palmas

|1995–96

|Segunda División B

|27

021colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–291
1996–97

|Segunda División

|27

270colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–342
colspan="2"|Total

!54

291colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—633
Mallorca

|1997–98

|La Liga

|36

3111colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–474
rowspan="3"|Atlético Madrid

|1998–99

|rowspan="2"|La Liga

|30

3|50colspan="2"|–50403
1999–2000

|35

460colspan="2"|–60474
colspan="2"|Total

!65

7110colspan="2"|—110877
rowspan="14"|Deportivo

|2000–01

|rowspan="11"|La Liga

|31

4200080414
2001–02

|36

340colspan="2"|–133536
2002–03

|23

2102150313
2003–04

|34

310colspan="2"|–142495
2004–05

|38

110colspan="2"|–80471
2005–06

|20

431colspan="2"|–60295
2006–07

|2

010colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–30
2007–08

|5

000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–50
2008–09

|22

030colspan="2"|–121371
2009–10

|24

130colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–271
2010–11

|21

050colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–260
2011–12

|Segunda División

39510colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–405
2012–13

|La Liga

|33

110colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–341
colspan="2"|Total

!328

242612166642232
rowspan="4"|Las Palmas

|2013–14

|rowspan="2"|Segunda División

|45

310colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–463
2014–15

|24

030colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–270
2015–16

|La Liga

|13

050colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–180
colspan="2"|Total

!82

390colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—913
colspan="3"|Career total

!577

466132177671756

=International=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=21658|title=Valerón|publisher=European Football|access-date=5 May 2013}}

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan="8"|Spain

|1998

10
199960
200070
200140
200292
2003101
200482
200510
colspan="2"|Total465

:Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Valerón goal.

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Juan Carlos Valerón

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

style="text-align:center"|12 June 2002Gwangju World Cup, Gwangju, South Korea{{fb|SLO}}style="text-align:center"|2–0style="text-align:center"|3–12002 FIFA World Cup
style="text-align:center"|27 September 2002Apostolos Nikolaidis, Athens, Greece{{fb|GRE}}style="text-align:center"|2–0style="text-align:center"|2–0UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
style="text-align:center"|311 October 2003Hanrapetakan, Yerevan, Armenia{{fb|ARM}}style="text-align:center"|1–0style="text-align:center"|4–0UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
style="text-align:center"|45 June 2004Alfonso Pérez, Getafe, Spain{{fb|AND}}style="text-align:center"|4–0style="text-align:center"|4–0Friendly
style="text-align:center"|512 June 2004Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal{{fb|RUS}}style="text-align:center"|1–0style="text-align:center"|1–0UEFA Euro 2004

Honours

Deportivo

Spain U21

  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1998{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/under21/history/season=1998/index.html|title=1998: Iván Pérez applies finishing touch|publisher=UEFA|access-date=19 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701023736/http://www.uefa.com/under21/history/season=1998/index.html|archive-date=1 July 2010}}

Individual

  • LFP Awards Fair Play: 2008–09{{cite news|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/liga/2009-10-27/el-barcelona-arraso-en-la-gala-de-premios-de-la-lfp_344189/|title=El Barcelona arrasó en la gala de premios de la LFP|trans-title=Barcelona crushed opposition at PFL awards ceremony|newspaper=El Confidencial|language=es|date=27 October 2009|access-date=16 July 2020}}
  • Diario AS Fair Play: 2015{{cite news|url=http://masdeporte.as.com/masdeporte/2015/12/14/polideportivo/1450125848_291633.html?id_externo_rsoc=CM|title=Valerón: "Seguro que lo de Piqué y Arbeloa se solucionará"|trans-title=Valerón: "I am sure Piqué and Arbeloa will work it out|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Maite|last=Martín|language=es|date=14 December 2015|access-date=15 December 2015}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • {{BDFutbol|1631}}
  • {{NFT player|id=6245}}
  • {{FIFA player|183383}}

{{Navboxes colour

|title = Spain squads

|bg = #db000d

|fg = #fbea0e

|list1 =

{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2000}}

{{Spain squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2004}}

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Valeron, Juan Carlos}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Mogán

Category:Spanish deists

Category:Spanish men's footballers

Category:Footballers from the Province of Las Palmas

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:La Liga players

Category:Segunda División players

Category:Segunda División B players

Category:Tercera División players

Category:Divisiones Regionales de Fútbol players

Category:UD Las Palmas Atlético players

Category:UD Las Palmas players

Category:RCD Mallorca players

Category:Atlético Madrid footballers

Category:Deportivo de La Coruña players

Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers

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Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players

Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players

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Category:Spanish football managers

Category:Tercera División managers

Category:Deportivo Fabril managers