Rubén Blanco Veiga

Celta

Born in Mos, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Blanco finished his youth career with local RC Celta de Vigo. He played his first games as a senior at only 16, with the reserves in the Segunda División B. On 26 May 2013, two months shy of his 18th birthday, Blanco made his main squad – and La Liga – debut, entering the pitch at half-time after Javi Varas suffered a serious shoulder injury and keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 away win against Real Valladolid. He retained his position for the following fixture, the last of the season, helping to a 1–0 home victory over RCD Espanyol as Celta managed to stay up, being the first team above the relegation zone. Blanco made eight Copa del Rey appearances in 2015–16 in a semi-final run before a 6–2 aggregate loss to Sevilla FC; on the league front, he played as many matches as back-up to Sergio Álvarez. On 3 January 2016, he received a straight red card for a foul on Nordin Amrabat in a 2–0 loss at Málaga CF. In 2016–17, Blanco made his continental debut as the side reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League; he took part in four group games, beginning with the 2–2 draw against AFC Ajax at Balaídos Stadium on 20 October. After five appearances of the following campaign's domestic league, he succeeded Álvarez as starting goalkeeper under manager Juan Carlos Unzué. He was sent off on 16 October 2017 for taking down Jonathan Calleri in a 5–2 away win over UD Las Palmas. Blanco signed a new contract in June 2018,…

As of match played 18 February 2024

Spain U21

UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2017