José María Cabrera Menéndez

José María Cabrera Menéndez (born 29 December 1963) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a left midfielder or inside left.

Menéndez played for a number of clubs in his native Spain, being most closely associated with Albacete Balompié. He played 108 times in La Liga for Albacete, scoring 15 goals, and later added another 50 appearances and two goals with Real Betis.

Career Early career

Menéndez was born in Samartín de Podes in the Gozón municipality, within the province and autonomous community of Asturias, However, he left the club at the end of the season, Again, he moved on after just one season,

Albacete Balompié

Menéndez's fifth club in as many years was to be Albacete Balompié, whom he joined in 1989, thus beginning the most successful chapter of his career. He quickly became in indispensable part of Albacete's team, and started their first match of the 1989–90 Segunda División B campaign, a 1–0 away win over Mérida at Estadio Romano on 3 September. He made his home debut at Estadio Carlos Belmonte a week later, as Albacete beat Telde 2–0. In his third match, at home to Real Jaén on 17 September, he scored from the penalty spot as Albacete once again won 2–0. He ultimately scored five goals in 38 appearances that season. These early victories set the tone for Albacete's season, as they won their group and earned promotion to the Segunda División.

Menéndez made his debut at second tier level on 2 September, as Albacete got off to a winning start with a 2–0 home victory over Palamós. This set the scene for another successful season for both player and club: Menéndez played 36 matches, while Albacete won the Segunda División title and earned promotion to La Liga for the first time in their history. His role in the double promotion secured his legendary status at Albacete, where he was revered for his runs up the left wing, the power of his shots, and the precision of his long passes. He scored his first La Liga goal, and his first for Albacete in over a year, when they beat Atlético Madrid 3–1 at home on 26 January. Menéndez got on the scoresheet once more in his 39 appearances that year, a consolation in a 3–1 loss to Real Burgos at Estadio El Plantío on 26 April. In the first leg against Real Mallorca at Lluís Sitjar Stadium, Menéndez scored the opening goal as Albacete won 3–1. Despite a 2–1 loss in the return leg, the aggregate score was sufficient for Albacete to retain their top flight status for another year.

In 1993–94, Menéndez found the best goal scoring form of his career, netting 13 times in 36 appearances

His opportunities were more limited in 1995–96, for two reason. The first was silly injury to his little finger, incurred while making the bed. The second was the signing of Croatian international left winger Robert Jarni, who established himself above Menéndez in the pecking order. He came on for Jarni with three minutes remaining as Betis won 2–1.

He was again used as a substitute in the second leg, replacing the injured Jarni after less than half an hour and helping Betis to a 2–0 win and comfortable progress to the next round. He played in every match, always as a substitute, as Betis reached the third round before being eliminated by Bordeaux of France. He played 34 matches in the first season of his return, and 35 in 1997–98, scoring six goals in each,

Career statistics

1. Appearances in the 1992–93 La Liga relegation playoff 2. Appearances in the 1995–96 UEFA Cup

Honours

Langreo Tercera División: 1985–86

Albacete Balompié Segunda División B: 1989–90 Segunda División: 1990–91