Juanlu Sánchez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Sánchez and the second or maternal family name is Velasco.
Juanlu Sánchez
Juanlu with Spain U18 in 2019
Personal information
Full name Juan Luis Sánchez Velasco[1]
Date of birth (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003[1]
Place of birth Dos Hermanas, Seville, Spain
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Sevilla
Number 16
Youth career
2009–2010 Los Caminantes
2010–2015 San Alberto Magno
2015–2019 Sevilla
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2022 Sevilla B 68 (7)
2021– Sevilla 60 (4)
2022–2023 → Mirandés (loan) 37 (2)
International career‡
2019 Spain U16 3 (0)
2019–2020 Spain U17 3 (0)
2019 Spain U18 2 (1)
2021–2022 Spain U19 10 (1)
2023– Spain U21 13 (0)
2024– Spain U23 4 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:37, 17 August 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:57, 21 June 2025 (UTC)

Juan Luis Sánchez Velasco (born 15 August 2003), commonly known as Juanlu Sánchez or simply Juanlu, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a winger for La Liga club Sevilla. Mainly a right winger, he can also play as a right back.

Club career

Born in Dos Hermanas, Seville, Andalusia, Juanlu began his career with CD Los Caminantes at the age of six. In the following year, he moved to CD San Alberto Magno, and joined Sevilla's youth setup in 2015, aged 12.[2] On 13 August 2019, after finishing his formation, he signed his first professional contract with the latter club, and was subsequently promoted to the reserves in the Segunda División B.[3]

Juanlu made his senior debut at the age of 16 on 24 August 2019, starting in a 0–0 home draw against Yeclano Deportivo.[4] He scored his first senior goal on 18 November of the following year, netting the B's second in a 2–2 draw at Granada.[5]

Juanlu made his first-team debut on 15 December 2021, starting in a 1–1 away draw (6–5 penalty win) against Andratx in the season's Copa del Rey.[6] His La Liga debut occurred six days later, as he came on as a late substitute for Papu Gómez in a 1–1 home draw against Barcelona.[7]

On 8 August 2022, Juanlu joined Segunda División club Mirandés on a season-long loan.[8][9] He scored his first professional goal on 6 December, netting his team's second in a 2–2 draw at Leganés.

After the departure of Raúl Parra to Cádiz, Juanlu established himself as a regular starter for the Jabatos, but as a right back.[10]

On 16 February 2025, Juanlu scored a brace and made an assist to Isaac Romero in an away league match against Real Valladolid at the Estadio José Zorrilla.[11][12]

On 10 April 2025, Juanlu Sánchez signed a contract extension with the Sevilla that will keep him there until at least June 2029.[13]

International career

Juanlu is a Spain youth international, having represented the country at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.[14]

He received his first call-up to the Spain U21 in October 2023 for a friendly against Uzbekistan and a 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Kazakhstan.[15]

In 2024, Juanlu was called up to the Spain U23 for the 2024 Summer Olympics. He was one of four reserve players not initially included in the main squad but eligible for inclusion in case of injury.[16] He was later added to the starting lineup for the second Group C match against the Dominican Republic, playing the full 90 minutes.[17] He appeared as a substitute in the 62nd minute of the semi-final match against Morocco, replacing Marc Pubill. Juanlu scored the decisive goal of the match with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box into the bottom left corner, securing Spain’s place in the final.[18][19] He also came on as a substitute in the final, where Spain defeated France 5–3 after extra time, earning the gold medal.[20]

In 2025, Juanlu was included in the squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.[21] He started in the opening match against the hosts, Slovakia, and provided an assist for Spain's second goal in a 3–2 victory.[22] He also started in the quarter-final match against England, which ended in a 3–1 defeat, resulting in Spain's elimination.[23]

Style of play

Juanlu is a versatile winger known for his strong offensive abilities and his contribution to both defensive and offensive phases of play. Primarily deployed as a right-winger, Juanlu is also capable of playing as a right midfielder, right-back or even in central midfield when required.[24] He possesses solid dribbling skills and vision, which allow him to create chances for his teammates.[25] In addition to his offensive strengths, he is particularly effective in tackling, blocking, and aerial duels, making him a reliable presence on the right flank.[26]

He has drawn comparisons to club legend Jesús Navas due to their shared background as products of Sevilla's academy and their versatility along the right side of the pitch.[27][28] Following Navas’ retirement, Juanlu inherited the number 16 shirt.[29]

García Pimienta, Sevilla's head coach, has deployed Juanlu in midfield when the team faced shortages in that area. Commenting on his adaptability, Pimienta stated: "He's a kid who works really hard and is very capable of attacking, and he also has a good goal-scoring ability. He's capable of playing there."[30]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 August 2025[31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Copa del Rey Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sevilla 2021–22 La Liga 1 0 1 0 0 0 — 2 0
2023–24 La Liga 26 0 4 1 6[a] 0 1[b] 0 37 1
2024–25 La Liga 32 4 3 1 — — 35 5
2025–26 La Liga 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Total 60 4 8 2 6 0 1 0 75 6
Mirandés (loan) 2022–23 Segunda División 37 2 1 0 — — 38 2
Career total 97 6 9 2 6 0 1 0 113 8
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup

Honours

Spain U23

References

  1. ^ a b "Juanlu Sánchez (Sub-21)". Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Juan Luis Sanchez, "Juanlu" entre los seis canteranos elegidos por en Sevilla F.C." [Juan Luis Sanchez, "Juanlu" amongst the six youth players chosen by Sevilla F.C.] (in Spanish). Vivir en Montequinto. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  3. ^ "CONTRATO PROFESIONAL PARA EL JUVENIL JUAN LUIS SÁNCHEZ" [PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT FOR THE JUVENIL JUAN LUIS SÁNCHEZ] (in Spanish). Sevilla FC. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Carlos Álvarez y Juanlu: del cadete al Sevilla Atlético con 16 años" [Carlos Álvarez and Juanlu: from the cadete squad to Sevilla Atlético at the age of 16] (in Spanish). Estadio Deportivo. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Rec. Granada 2–2 Sevilla Atlético: El primer triunfo continúa resistiéndose" [Rec. Granada 2–2 Sevilla Atlético: The first triumph is still resistant] (in Spanish). Estadio Deportivo. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Juanlu: "Con este formato tan competitivo, todo partido es complicado"" [Juanlu: "With this very competitive format, every match is complicated"] (in Spanish). ABC. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Sevilla y Barça se autodestruyen" [Sevilla and Barça self destruct] (in Spanish). MARCA. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  8. ^ "ACUERDO CON EL CD MIRANDÉS PARA LA CESIÓN DE JUANLU SÁNCHEZ" [Agreement with CD Mirandés for the loan of Juanlu Sánchez]. Sevilla FC (in Spanish). 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Juanlu Sánchez, polivalencia para el esquema rojillo" [Juanlu Sánchez, versatility for the rojillo squad]. CD Mirandés (in Spanish). 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Juanlu Sánchez, el jabato del Sevilla que brilla en el Mirandés" [Juanlu Sánchez, the boar who shines at Mirandés] (in Spanish). Mucho Deporte. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Sevilla 4-0 Valladolid (16 Feb, 2025)". ESPN. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Dominant display at the Estadio José Zorrilla (0-4)". Sevilla FC. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Juanlu signs contract extension until 2029". Sevilla FC. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  14. ^ "JUANLU Y CARLOS ÁLVAREZ, CITADOS CON LA SUB-19" [JUANLU AND CARLOS ÁLVAREZ, CALLED UP TO THE UNDER-19S]. Sevilla FC (in Spanish). 3 November 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  15. ^ "JUANLU RECEIVES FIRST SPAIN U-21 CALL UP FOR UZBEKISTAN AND KAZAKHSTAN FIXTURES". Sevilla FC. 6 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Santi Denia da la lista con los 18 futbolistas para París 2024 y deja como suplentes a Iturbe, Juanlu, Mosquera y Camello" [Santi Denia announces the 18-man squad for Paris 2024, leaving Iturbe, Juanlu, Mosquera, and Camello as substitutes]. RTVE (in Spanish). 10 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Santi Denia no iba de farol con los reservas: Juanlu jugó y se pretende que Mosquera esté ante Egipto" [Santi Denia wasn't bluffing with the reserves: Juanlu played and Mosquera is expected to be there against Egypt]. Relevo (in Spanish). 27 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Olympics Football (Men) - Semi-finals: Morocco 1–2 Spain". BBC Sport. 5 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Quién es Juanlu Sánchez, goleador en el Marruecos - España: dónde juega y valor de mercado" [Who is Juanlu Sánchez, the top scorer for Morocco vs Spain: Where does he play and his market value]. Relevo (in Spanish). 6 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Spain win gold in Olympic final for the ages". FIFA. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  21. ^ "JUANLU SÁNCHEZ INCLUDED IN FINAL SPAIN UNDER-21S SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS". Sevilla FC. 10 June 2025.
  22. ^ "Así ha sido el europeo sub 21 de Juanlu Sánchez: protagonista y con el Nápoles esperando" [This is how Juanlu Sánchez's U21 European Championship went: a leading role and with Napoli waiting]. Diario de Sevilla (in Spanish). 23 June 2025.
  23. ^ "JUANLU STARTS AS SPAIN KNOCKED OUT OF EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP". Sevilla FC. 22 June 2025.
  24. ^ "El 16 de Antonio Puerta y Jesús Navas espera a Juanlu Sánchez... con el mercado de fondo" [Antonio Puerta and Jesús Navas await Juanlu Sánchez on the 16th... with the market in the background]. Relevo (in Spanish). 16 January 2025.
  25. ^ "Real Madrid Are Keeping Tabs On This Sevilla Full-Back: One For The Future?". OneFootball. 7 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Man Utd Linked with Highly Rated Sevilla Full-Back". Yahoo Sports. 11 September 2024.
  27. ^ "El heredero de Jesús Navas" [The heir of Jesús Navas]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 6 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Juanlu, el aprendiz de Jesús Navas, sigue su estela con la selección" [Juanlu, Jesús Navas' apprentice, follows in his footsteps with the national team]. MARCA (in Spanish). 26 June 2024.
  29. ^ "El dorsal 16 de Puerta espera a Juanlu" [Puerta's number 16 awaits Juanlu]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 19 February 2025.
  30. ^ "García Pimienta: "Juanlu tiene gol y mucha llegada"" [García Pimienta: “Juanlu has a goal and a great shot”]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 16 February 2025.
  31. ^ Juanlu Sánchez at Soccerway
  32. ^ Ronay, Barney (9 August 2024). "Camello's extra-time double clinches football gold for Spain against France". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
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