Betis captain Joaquín has announced that he will retire from football at the end of the current season, during which he is likely to break the record for the most appearances in the Spanish league, having spent 23 years in his stadiums.
And in a video clip that Betis posted on social media on Thursday, the former Spain international said from the dressing room, shedding tears: “My hour has rung. It’s time to tell you that this is my last season at Betis. “
Joaquín, whose full name is Joaquín Sánchez Rodriguez, who turns 42 next July, is playing at right wing for the fifth-placed Andalusian side in La Liga this season with nine stages to go.
In another post, Joaquin said while painting, “For 23 years I’ve been trying to make football an art to be remembered by generations.”
Joaquín has made 615 La Liga appearances, seven less than former goalkeeper Andoni Subisarit, who holds the record of 622 appearances.
Joaquín, originally from El Puerto de Santa Maria near Cadiz in southern Spain, started his career with Real Betis in 2000 at the age of 19.
He moved to Valencia for 5 years (2006-2011) and spent two years in Malaga (2011-2013). He also had two years of experience playing in Italian stadiums with Fiorentina before returning to Real Betis in 2015.
Joaquin’s track record has won the national cup twice with Betis in 2005 and 2012 and once with Valencia in 2008.
Joaquín wore the jersey of his country “La Roja” in 51 international matches from 2002 to 2007, during which he scored 4 goals.
Source: agencies
