First team

PABLO BLANCO, A SYMBOLIC FIGURE OF SEVILLA, INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME

13/09/2018

Our latest introduction to the Hall of Fame boasts of five uninterrupted decades of Sevillismo. The current Head of Youth Development has played the second most matches in the history of the club, only beaten by one his discoveries, Jesús Navas

Sevilla FC, at the request of their Archives Department, have inducted Pablo Blanco into the Hall of Fame. Blanco thereby forms part of a select group made up of Juan Arza, José María Busto, Marcelo Campanal, Ignacio Achucarro, Antonio Valero, Paco Gallego, Enrique Lora, Curro Sanjosé, Antonio Álvarez and Enrique Montero, each one awarded with the highest distinction that the club can offer its former players

Pablo Blanco arrived in Sevilla in the 67/68 season, starring at Don Bosco. He was brought to the academy by Casto Ríos and his special knack for finding talents. This was the start of five uninterrupted decades, until 1984 as a player, and later as a member of the technical team and Head of Youth Development.

He arrived in Sevilla as a youngster in the 67/68 season and retired in 83/84, after 13 seasons in the first team. Up until last season, he was the Sevillista with the most official appearances.

Blanco made his debut for Sevilla in the 71/72 season, playing 13 consecutive seasons with the first team, in which he shined in both defence and midfield. He endured difficult spells, with the club even relegated to the second division at one point, but in his final years under Manolo Cardo he enjoyed one of the best footballing periods in Sevilla's history in the last four decades.

A one-club man, who chose to bring an end to his career at the age of 33, Pablo Blanco's name is engraved in gold in the history of Sevilla FC for his bravery and dedication on the pitch - a true symbol of the values of loyalty and courage that have historically defined the club. Blanco also has the honour of being the player with the second most official match appearances, a total of 415, surpassed last season by Jesús Navas, one of his many discoveries during his time as the Head of Youth Development.

Pablo Blanco is Sevilla. Few symbolise the loyalty and courage that defines the club like he does, having been at the club for more than half a century.

After hanging up his boots, he was recruited by the then technical secretary, Ángel Castillo as his right-hand man, continuing with Santos Bedoya and then soon taking up the role of Head of Youth Development with the arrival of Luis Cuervas as the club president. He shared the role with Pepe Alfaro until he took sole charge at the start of the nineties when Alfaro decided to step down from coaching the youth team.

Pablo Blanco is Sevilla FC, or at least the Sevilla FC of the last fifty years. His eyes have seen Sevilla in the offices of San Miguel, from the streets of Harinas and the stadium. His eyes have shed tears for the loss of his teammate Pedro Berruezo and his academy graduate Antonio Puerta. His eyes have seen ups and downs, very tough periods and periods of success and titles, just as they have recruited a wide range of talented footballers that have turned Sevilla's academy into one of the most prestigious in the world.