Manuel Bleda Rodríguez

Manuel Bleda Rodríguez (; ; born 31 July 1990), also known as Manolo Bleda, is a professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Hong Kong Premier League club HKFC. Born in Spain, he plays for the Hong Kong national team.

Club career After playing for Alzira, Bleda had a six-month spell with Belshina Bobruisk in Belarus.

In August 2014, Bleda moved from Belshina Bobruisk to Tajik League side FC Istiklol on a contract until November 2014. Bleda scored twice on his competitive debut, Istiklol's 10–0 Tajik Cup victory over Khosilot Farkhor. Bleda scored on his league debut for Istiklol after 16 minutes versus Parvoz on 16 October 2014. On 22 November 2015, Bleda scored Istiklol's 500th league goal. He was also a part of the starting XI in the 2015 AFC Cup final, in which Istiklol lost 0–1 to Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. Bleda left Istiklol at the end of the 2015 season after his contract was not renewed.

At the start of March 2016, Bleda signed for Romanian Liga II side Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț.

Due to an alleged salary dispute, on 23 August 2016, Bleda left Ceahlăul and signed for Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern. He made his Eastern debut on 16 September 2016 in the Hong Kong Community Cup, scoring a goal in a 3–1 victory over Kitchee SC. In the 2017 AFC Champions League Group G match on 1 March 2017, Bleda converted a penalty against visitors Kawasaki Frontale, which goes down as the first goal for any Hong Kong side in a top-level continental competition. Domestically, he tallied 16 goals in his first HKPL season, which included a four-goal appearance against Biu Chun Glory Sky.

Bleda's impact was limited by injuries in the 2017–18 season, and was not offered a contract extension by Eastern after the season.

On 3 July 2019, Kitchee announced the addition of Bleda. On 20 October 2020, Kitchee head coach Chu Chi Kwong stated that Bleda had unilaterally terminated his contract with the club. However, two weeks later, Chu stated that the club were still locked in a dispute with Bleda over his contract and Kitchee may resort to legal action.

On 12 March 2021, Bleda signed with another HKPL club Lee Man and was given the number 9 shirt.

On 7 July 2023, Bleda returned to Eastern on loan for a season, but only managed one appearance as a loanee at Eastern before being released by Lee Man after the 23–24 season ended.

On 20 March 2025, Bleda rejoined Eastern for a third stint with the club. In his first match back with the team on 22 March 2025, he recorded an assist in a Sapling Cup fixture in a 1–1 draw with Kitchee, which propelled Eastern into the semi-finals of the competition.

On 21 August 2026, Bleda joined HKFC.

International career On 16 February 2024, it was announced that Bleda had received his HKSAR passport after giving up his Spanish passport, making him eligible to represent Hong Kong internationally.

On 5 June 2025, Bleda made his international debut for Hong Kong in a friendly match against Nepal.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Istiklol Tajik League: 2014, 2015 Tajik Cup: 2014, 2015 Tajik Supercup: 2015

Kitchee Hong Kong Premier League: 2019–20 Hong Kong Sapling Cup: 2019–20

Eastern Hong Kong FA Cup: 2023–24, 2024–25 Hong Kong Top Footballers (Best XI): 2016–17