Adolfo Aldana Torres (born 5 January 1966) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right midfielder.
Over 11 seasons, he amassed La Liga totals of 179 matches and 31 goals, mainly with Real Madrid and Deportivo with which he won a total of nine major titles.
Club career Aldana was born in San Roque, Province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Brought through the ranks of La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, he found opportunities hard to come by as he was mainly barred in the starting XI by legendary Míchel. However, he still managed to produce with limited playing time at the club – for instance, in the 1989–90 season, in a final league title, he scored five goals in only 13 matches – and left Real with 97 official appearances, a departure which coincided with the signing of Sporting de Gijón's Luis Enrique.Qué fue de… Adolfo Aldana: Míchel le cerró un camino que halló en el Dépor (What happened to… Adolfo Aldana: Míchel locked him a door he opened at Dépor); 20 minutos, 28 April 2014 (in Spanish)
Aldana signed with up-and-coming Deportivo de La Coruña in 1992, and reached international status at the Galicians while an instrumental figure in the side's lineups, partnering Fran and Mauro Silva in midfield. A serious knee injury would also leave him out of action for the entirety of his second year.Yo jugué en el Depor: Adolfo Aldana (I played for Depor: Adolfo Aldana); Vavel, 20 June 2013 (in Spanish)
Aldana closed out his career following two years at RCD Espanyol (which included another campaign away from the pitches due to physical problems) and one with CP Mérida (Segunda División), retiring at the age of 33.
International career Aldana earned four caps for Spain over a one-year span.Fútbol.– Adolfo Aldana, nuevo seleccionador andaluz: "Quiero transmitir a los jugadores la importancia de esta camiseta" (Football.– Adolfo Aldana, new Andalusia national team manager: "I want to pass on to players the importance of wearing this shirt"); Europa Press, 29 October 2007 (in Spanish) His debut came on 24 February 1993 in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, at Seville: brought from the bench, he scored the last goal in the 5–0 win,La selección repite otro 5–0 en Sevilla (The national team repeat another 5–0 in Seville); Mundo Deportivo, 25 February 1993 (in Spanish) but his injury at Deportivo eventually prevented a selection for the final stages.Una lesión que marcó su carrera (A career-defining injury); El Desmarque, 25 April 2019 (in Spanish)
After obtaining his coaching degree, Aldana eventually became manager of the Andalusia autonomous team.Adolfo Aldana sustituye a José Enrique Díaz como seleccionador de Andalucía (Adolfo Aldana replaces José Enrique Díaz as Andalusia national team manager); ABC, 30 October 2007 (in Spanish) His first match in charge was on 27 December 2007, in a 4–1 friendly victory over Zambia at the Estadio Municipal de Chapín.Andalucía, sin piedad ante Zambia (Andalusia, no mercy against Zambia); 20 minutos, 28 December 2007 (in Spanish)
International goal Score and result list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Aldana goal. + International goal scored by Adolfo AldanaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 24 February 1993 Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain 5–0 5–0 1994 World Cup qualification
Honours Real Madrid La Liga: 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90El ex deportivista Adolfo Aldana será el nuevo seleccionador andaluz absoluto (Former Deportivo man Adolfo Aldana will be new full Andalusia manager); La Voz de Galicia, 30 October 2007 (in Spanish) Copa del Rey: 1988–89 Supercopa de España: 1990Spain – List of Super Cup Finals; at RSSSF
Deportivo Copa del Rey: 1994–95Supertítulo (Supertitle); Mundo Deportivo, 28 June 1995 (in Spanish) Supercopa de España: 1995
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