Juan Fernando Leal
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Juan Leal
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|8|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Medellin, Colombia
| height = {{height|cm=181}}
| position = midfielder
| youthclubs1 = Envigado
| clubs1 = Envigado
| years1 = 1999 - 2001
| caps1 = 106
| goals1 = 9
| years2 = 2002 - 2003
| clubs2 = Independiente Medellin
| caps2 = 61
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2004
| clubs3 = Independiente Santa Fe
| caps3 = 14
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2005
| clubs4 = Atletico Junior
| caps4 = 5
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2005
| clubs5 = Envigado
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2006
| clubs6 = Millonarios
| caps6 = 37
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2007
| clubs7 = Independiente Medellin
| caps7 = 17
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2008 - 2009
| clubs8 = Envigado
| caps8 = 58
| goals8 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2004 - 2005
| nationalteam1 = Colombia
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| years9 = 2010 - 2011
| clubs9 = Independiente Medellin
| caps9 = 20
| goals9 = 1
}}
Juan Fernando Leal Arango (born 2 August 1980) is a Colombian retired footballer who played as a midfielder.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Juan Fernando Leal (Player) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/8630/Juan_Fernando_Leal.html |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=National-football-teams.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Juan Leal » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/juan-leal/2/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=worldfootball.net |language=en}}
Club career
Leal began his career at Envigado in 1999, staying at the club until 2001. For the 2002 season, he moved to Independiente Medellín and won the 2002 Finalizacion title with the club, playing both legs of the finals against Deportivo Pasto. In 2003, he also made a few appearances in the Copa Libertadores, where Medellin had a great campaign and were eliminated in the semi-finals.
In 2004, he played with Independiente Santa Fe. In the 2005 Apertura, he played with Junior, and for that years Finalizacion tournament he made a return to Envigado. For 2006, he played with Millonarios, and in 2007 made another return to Independiente Medellin.
From 2008 to 2009, Leal had a third stint with Envigado. In October 2009, after a loss against Deportes Tolima, Leal assaulted a referee and was hit with a six-month ban, as well as a {{Currency|5 million|COP}} fine.{{Cite web |last=Chavez |first=Héctor |date=2009-10-21 |title=Juan Fernando Leal suspendido 6 meses en el futbol colombiano |url=https://caracol.com.co/radio/2009/10/21/deportes/1256139420_898286.html |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Caracol Radio |language=es}}
In 2010, Leal made a third return to Independiente Medellin. However, he missed the 2010 Apertura because of his ban, but returned for the 2010 Finalizacion and was an important player for El Poderoso. At the conclusion of the 2011 Apertura, Leal announced his retirement.{{Cite web |date=2010-08-14 |title=En el DIM, Leal salió de su infierno |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/historico/en_el_dim_leal_salio_de_su_infierno-NEec_100638 |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Elcolombiano.com |language=es}}
International career
Leal was part of the Colombia national team from 2004 to 2005, making one appearance in 2006 World Cup qualifiers, and three at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Honours
= Independiente Medellin =
- Categoria Primera A: 2002 Finalizacion