The story of Joaquín is a perfect tonic for the ruthlessness of modern football. A Real Betis legend for these two stints separated by nine years, an old-school winger who rallied against the winds of change to keep playing in an era where he was unfashionable, and a beloved figure in Spanish football. This is the story of Joaquín, and the legacy he leaves the club.
Early years
To give him his full name Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez was born in the Andalusian town of El Puerto de Santa María, a town known for producing fellow footballer José Manuel Pinto, but also comedians. Joaquín would be comfortable in the company of both as adoring fans would find out.
Although he was from a town not far from Cádiz, Joaquín was a Bético, As are a lot of people in Andalusia. His youth career at Real Betis began in the late 1990s and he would make his debut for the senior side in the opening fixture of the 2000/01 Segunda Division season. His first season would see Betis return to the top tier, with Joaquín being a bit player. His debut season in LaLiga would be a real step up.
Betis would go into the summer of 2002 with smiles on their faces, as they finished sixth and therefore qualified for European football. Joaquín would play in 34 games, scoring five goals and getting a single assist. His name was now on the lips of everyone involved in Spanish football, it wouldn’t be forgotten anytime soon as Joaquín was going to the World Cup.
Gwangju 2002, a dream becomes a nightmare
Until Qatar 20 years later this World Cup was arguably the most controversial of the modern era, and that reason was South Korea. The tournament co-hosts were not expected to do too great at the tournament but joined Spain in the quarter-finals having beaten Italy. Their victory over the Italians does not go down as a romantic giant killing but left everyone with a sour taste in their mouths as alleged match-fixing was seen as the reason for victory.
The match against Spain wasn’t as dramatic as the prior fixture, but it wasn’t controversy-free. With the game in extra time, Joaquín’s cross to Fernando Morientes was put away by the striker, but linesman Ali Tomusange raised his flag to indicate the ball had gone out of play. The game would be decided on penalties, South Korea going through thanks to their goalkeeper, Lee Woon-Jae, making a save.
Tomusange would later state that he made a mistake with his decision, replay evidence shows the ball stayed in play, regardless Spain were out. Joaquín had played a great game and should have walked off that pitch as the man who assisted a golden goal to see his country through, instead, he was the unfortunate soul to carry the burden of a missed spot-kick.
Joaquín’s Spain career never kicked on after this game, he would feature at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, but both tournaments had poor showings from Spain. Much to the chagrin of many Betis fans he wouldn’t feature for Spain past 2007, the popular theory being that he wasn’t selected as he wasn’t playing for Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Threatened with Albacete
At the same time that his international career was becoming a headache, his time at Betis was going great. Not a club known for its success, with Joaquín in the side Betis won the Copa del Rey in 2005 and featured in the Champions League. However, there would be trouble in paradise soon enough.
Manuel Ruiz de Lopera was the then owner of Real Betis, a man who I will describe as being “eccentric” in order to avoid a courtroom. However he did or didn’t make his money what I can say for sure is that by 2006 he was rubbing a lot of people the wrong way, Joaquín included. In the lead-up to the 2006/07 season the boyhood Betis fan handed in his transfer request.
He would eventually join Valencia, but not being sent out on loan to Albacete as punishment for taking a percentage of the transfer fee (as was per his contract) by Lopera. But he was quickly ordered back by the club and would make the move to the Mestalla.
The move to Valencia is a slight mark against his name at Betis for what it matters, but that tradeoff came with the reward of a second Copa del Rey in 2008 and the opportunity to continue playing football in European competitions.
Four seasons in Valencia would be followed by a couple of years playing for the iconic Málaga side of the early 2010s, before a switch to Italy when he joined Fiorentina in 2013.
The prodigal son returns
Now in his early 30’s his 2015 return to Real Betis seemed like a lovely way to wind down a career, little did anyone know then that things were far from over. Since he departed back in 2006 the club had been relegated three times and had just bounced back to LaLiga the season prior to his return. They are now on the cusp of European football again and have added a third Copa del Rey to their trophy cabinet.
Among the various personal records Joaquín has broken since being back at Betis, nothing comes close to the 2022 Copa del Rey victory. The final was held in Seville, at the Estadio de la Cartuja, as close as home as Betis could get without being at their own stadium. Borja Iglesias opened the scoring early, and the camera goes to Joaquín on the sidelines.
It doesn’t linger on the goalscorer, it doesn’t even look to the manager, it is fixed on a stoic Joaquín. Remaining calm as he can while the rest of the bench regresses into pandemonium, he knew the night was long but over.
Valencia would indeed level the scores later in the half, and they would stay level, despite everything Betis threw at Valencia they couldn’t catch a break. A penalty shootout would be the deciding factor.
Having come on as a substitute Joaquín would be one of the five certainties to step up from 12 yards. 20 years after his saved effort against South Korea saw Spain’s World Cup dream end there was a brief moment where history might repeat itself, Giorgi Mamardashvili got his hand to Joaquín’s penalty, but not enough of one to keep the ball out. Joaquín’s job was done.
Valencia’s Yunus Musah would blast his penalty over the bar, meaning all Juan Miranda had to do was convert the next kick. The left back did so, giving the green and white side of Seville a night they won’t be forgetting in a hurry. The image of Joaquín holding the trophy became iconic, how could it not?
Joaquín’s legacy
Joaquín is a smiling face who unites the Spanish football community. A legend at a likable club who never takes things seriously off the pitch, the notorious joker even has a place in the hearts of Sevilla fans, it takes a certain person to earn that respect. He will leave the pitch as a record breaker and cup winner, though he never needed the trophies to prove his quality.
Supremely technical he is a joy to watch, not direct like a modern winger, but still good enough to grace pitches in 2023. At Betis he is a legend, and his time at the club is long but over. In the press conference where he announced his retirement, he said he wanted to stay involved in Betis off the pitch. I don’t think he’ll have trouble getting anyone to say yes to that request.
A player can win tens of trophies, play for the biggest clubs and make the most money. But if Joaquín has taught us anything it is that your name will be sung out forever if you are simply loved and play football in its purest way, with joy.
