Juan Sanchez
Encyclopedia
Juan Ginés Sánchez Moreno (born 15 May 1972 in Aldaia
, Horta Oest
, Valencia) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a striker.
In a career almost entirely associated to Valencia CF
- which he helped to two La Liga
titles - and Celta de Vigo
, he scored more than 100 goals as a professional, in nearly 450 games.
. His first top flight
match was on 25 October 1992, in a 0-3 loss at FC Barcelona
. In the season's closing stages, he scored his first goal(s) for the Che, in a 2–0 home win over RCD Español
, as a late substitute.
After a successful loan stint in the second level
with RCD Mallorca
, Sánchez left for Real Club Celta de Vigo
, becoming an important offensive element in the Galicians' domestic and European
consolidation. In his last two seasons, as Celta finished respectively 6th and 5th, he scored 22 goals combined, eventually returning to his first club.
During the second season of his second spell, Sánchez netted 12 league goals (notably back-to-back braces against CD Numancia
(3–0) and UD Las Palmas
(5–1)), adding a further two in the UEFA Champions League
semifinal second leg against Leeds United (one with his hand, for a 3–0 home win), subsequently being replaced in the final loss
against FC Bayern Munich
.
Subsequently, after having appeared in 25 matches in Valencia's 2001–02 league conquest, Sánchez's importance lessened dramatically in his final season (where he played in only ten matches for the champions, no complete ones). He retired aged 34 after a second spell at Celta, which he helped achieve a return to the top division.
Afterwards, Sánchez became Valencia's sporting director, succeeding Miguel Ángel Ruiz, and leaving the post in August 2008. In June 2009, he moved to Excelsior Mouscron
, in Belgium
, in the same capacity, rejoining former Valencia teammates Amedeo Carboni
and Miroslav Đukić (the latter being signed as head coach).
, playing 12 minutes in a 2–2 friendly match against Italy
, on 18 November 1998, in Salerno
.
Aldaia
Aldaia is a municipality in the comarca of Horta Oest in the Valencian Community, Spain.-External links:*...
, Horta Oest
Horta Oest
Horta Oest is a comarca in the province of Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain.-Municipalities:*Alaquàs*Aldaia*Manises*Mislata*Paterna*Picanya*Quart de Poblet*Torrent*Xirivella...
, Valencia) is a retired Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as a striker.
In a career almost entirely associated to Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
- which he helped to two La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
titles - and Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, he scored more than 100 goals as a professional, in nearly 450 games.
Club career
Sánchez started playing professionally for Valencia CFValencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. His first top flight
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
match was on 25 October 1992, in a 0-3 loss at FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. In the season's closing stages, he scored his first goal(s) for the Che, in a 2–0 home win over RCD Español
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, as a late substitute.
After a successful loan stint in the second level
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
with RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
, Sánchez left for Real Club Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, becoming an important offensive element in the Galicians' domestic and European
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
consolidation. In his last two seasons, as Celta finished respectively 6th and 5th, he scored 22 goals combined, eventually returning to his first club.
During the second season of his second spell, Sánchez netted 12 league goals (notably back-to-back braces against CD Numancia
CD Numancia
Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 9 April 1945, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, with a 10,200-seat capacity.Besides football it has other...
(3–0) and UD Las Palmas
UD Las Palmas
Unión Deportiva Las Palmas, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the autonomous community of Canary Islands...
(5–1)), adding a further two in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
semifinal second leg against Leeds United (one with his hand, for a 3–0 home win), subsequently being replaced in the final loss
2001 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2001 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place at San Siro in Milan, Italy, on 23 May 2001, to decide the winner of the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League. The match pitted Bayern Munich against Valencia. The match finished in a 1–1 draw, but Bayern clinched their fourth...
against FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
.
Subsequently, after having appeared in 25 matches in Valencia's 2001–02 league conquest, Sánchez's importance lessened dramatically in his final season (where he played in only ten matches for the champions, no complete ones). He retired aged 34 after a second spell at Celta, which he helped achieve a return to the top division.
Afterwards, Sánchez became Valencia's sporting director, succeeding Miguel Ángel Ruiz, and leaving the post in August 2008. In June 2009, he moved to Excelsior Mouscron
R.E. Mouscron
R.E. Mouscron was a Belgian association football club from the municipality of Mouscron, Hainaut. In December 2009 they were declared bankrupt and suspended operations soon after marking the end of professional football in Mouscron.-History:...
, in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, in the same capacity, rejoining former Valencia teammates Amedeo Carboni
Amedeo Carboni
Amedeo Carboni is a retired Italian footballer who played as a left defender.In a professional career which spanned 22 years and saw him appear in nearly 700 official games, he played mainly for Roma and Valencia , winning eight major titles for the two clubs combined.Carboni was capped 18 times...
and Miroslav Đukić (the latter being signed as head coach).
International career
Sánchez appeared once for SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, playing 12 minutes in a 2–2 friendly match against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, on 18 November 1998, in Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
.
Honours
- Valencia:
- UEFA Cup: 2003–04
- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 2001–02, 2003–04 - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: Runner-up 1999–2000, 2000–01
- Celta:
- Second DivisionSegunda DivisiónThe Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
: 2004–05
- Second Division