Ismael Blanco

Ismael Blanco

Ismael Blanco warming up before a game.
Personal information
Full name	Ismael Blanco
Date of birth	January 19, 1983 (1983-01-19)
Place of birth	Santa Elena, Argentina
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Legia Warsaw
Number	22
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2002–2008	Colón	50	(11)
2005	→ Libertad (loan)	15	(5)
2006–2007	→ Olimpo (loan)	62	(33)
2007–2011	AEK Athens	109	(50)
2011–2012	San Luis	15	(2)
2012–	Legia Warsaw	0	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 February 2012. † Appearances (Goals).

Ismael Blanco (born on 19 January 1983 in Santa Elena, Entre Ríos) is an Argentine professional football player who currently is signed with Legia Warszawa.

Club career

Argentina

Blanco started his career with Colón in 2002. He suffered a serious knee injury (cruciate ligament) in 2004.^{[citation needed]}

Having lost his place on the first team, after his rehabilitation he was loaned out in January 2005 to Club Libertad of Paraguay, where he had the opportunity to participate at the Copa Libertadores 2005, scoring twice during his team's unsuccessful effort in Group 1.

After his loan spell in Club Libertad he returned in June 2005 to Argentina, to play on loan for Olimpo de Bahía Blanca, a Primera B Nacional team. During his stay there he managed to score 46 times in 90 games helping his team win the Primera B Nacional and the promotion to Primera División and being the top scorer in both the Apertura 2006 (18 goals) and the Clausura 2007 (11 goals). In Summer 2007 he rejoined Colón, but not for long.

AEK Athens

He didn't stay with Colón for long, on 10 August 2007 Blanco joined AEK Athens on loan. He got his first cap in an UEFA Cup match against Red Bull Salzburg on 20 September 2007. He then debuted in the Greek Super League against Atromitos and scored twice leading AEK Athens to a 2–0 win. Blanco's first goal in a European competition occurred on 13 February 2007 against Getafe with a back flick in the 94th minute to end the game as a 1–1 draw. Blanco finished top scorer in the Super League Greece 2007-08 having scored 19 goals in 28 games (he scored once more during his 6 playoff apps). His performances led AEK Athens to announce the activation of the clause in his contract on 28 April 2008.

Blanco started his 2nd season in AEK scoring the winning goal via a penalty against Panathinaikos in the year's first derby match. Blanco also stated to the press that he does not want to leave AEK and wants to be playing for many years in Greece.^{[citation needed]} Blanco scored his first Greek Cup goal against Chaidari. Blanco finished top scorer in the Super League Greece 2008-09 having scored 14 goals in 30 games (plus 3 goals at 6 playoff games). Blanco's 3 season in AEK wasn't as successful as the previous years as he scored only 13 goals all season, (8 in the league, 4 in Europe, 1 in playoffs). In his 4th season he scored 15 goals in all competitions. His first goals came in the 5–1 win against Panthrakikos F.C. for the Greek Cup, in which Blanco scored his first hat trick. He scored also game winner against arch rivals Olympiakos in the 90th minute (he came in the game as a substitution.

Blanco decided not to renew his contract with AEK and not to accept the proposal of AEK and he was released to a free agent.^{[citation needed]} Blanco promised that if ever returned back in Greece that would be only to wear AEK Athens' colours.^{[citation needed]}

San Luis

On 18 August 2011 Ismael Blanco was signed by Mexican club San Luis.

Legia Warsaw

On 24 February 2012 Ismael Blanco was signed by Polish club Legia Warsaw until 30 June 2012 with an option of extending to another season.

Celebration

On 26 September 2007 in a match against Veria, after putting AEK Athens in front, Blanco revealed a Zorro mask from his sock and drew a big Z in the air celebrating the winning goal. He keeps doing so from time to time though referees usually punish him with a yellow card.

Career statistics

Season	Club	League	League		Cup		Continental		Play-offs		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2002–03	Colón	Primera División	19	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	19	5
2003–04			14	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	3
2004–05			16	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	3
2005	Libertad	Liga Paraguay	15	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	5
2005–06	Olimpo	Primera División	24	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	5
2006–07		Nacional B	38	28	0	0	0	0	0	0	38	28
2007–08	Colón	Primera División	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2007–08	AEK Athens	Super League	28	19	2	0	7	1	6	1	43	21
2008–09			30	14	6	5	2	1	6	3	44	23
2009–10			29	8	1	0	8	4	5	1	43	13
2010–11			22	9	7	4	7	2	3	0	39	15
Total	Argentina		112	44	0	0	0	0	0	0	112	44
Total	Paraguay		15	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	5
Total	Greece		109	50	16	9	24	8	20	5	169	72
Career total			236	99	16	9	24	8	20	5	296	121

Honours

Olimpo

• Nacional B: 2

2006 Apertura, 2007 Clausura

AEK Athens

• Greek Cup: 1

2011

Individual

• Nacional B top goalscorer: 2

2006 Apertura, 2007 Clausura

• Greek Super League top goalscorer: 2

2008, 2009

• Greek Cup top goalscorer: 2

2009, 2011

External links

• Official Website
• Ismael Blanco at 90minut.pl (Polish)