The Betis captain is retiring at the age of 41 and the club has organized a tribute and a press conference to explain his decision.
Joaquín Sanchez retires. The captain of Real Betis hangs up his boots in Juneor after the end of the 2022-2023 season, he will do so at the age of 41 and after 23 years as a professional and 14 years as a defender of the “Thirteen Barras” of the Verdiblanco club.
The 20 great moments in Joaquín’s career
Direct farewell press conference for Joaquín del Betis: video, where to watch on TV, streaming and live online
After learning the news of his retirement, Betis has organized a tribute this Thursday, April 20, which will start at 1 p.m. and which will also include a press conference in which Joaquín explained his decision, although in GOAL we have already outlined some of them.
Message by parting: “How hard it is to say ‘I’ve come this far’. How hard it is to let go of what my whole life has been. Before it would have been soon, and then it would have been late. I will always look for a way to contribute what I can to the team of my life. Looking back, I realize it wasn’t easy. But Fernando Vázquez called me to join the first team. I called my father to tell him that he was already a player for the best team in the world, Real Betis Balompié. In so many years I could have been wrong at some point, if I was, my apologies. But I don’t regret anything. Thanks to the Betic fans, that’s what gives meaning to this club. that of the ‘manque loses’Joaquín leaves, but Betis stays. It’s eternal. Live the Betis”
Why was it withdrawn: “Retiring is not a decision I took lightly. This year it was much more around me. Because of my personal situation. It was something that you say in the end I don’t think there is a better time. I believe there is. I have 41 years old. At one point I had to retire. I didn’t want to make my retirement conditional on Betis qualifying for the Champions League or getting the record. Hopefully Betis will qualify for the Champions League.”
What remains: “When I was 20 years old, I dared, I did what I wanted. If I had known then what I’m doing now… If I have to stay with a moment, I’ll stay with that boy who gave everything to feel like a soccer player”.
physical state: “My physique doesn’t take anything away from me. That’s how I feel. It’s true that circumstances diminish you and age takes its toll. I still enjoy football. But my physique hasn’t taken me away. My head has taken away, but not because I was bored “But because the right time; my body told me every morning it was the time. And after talking to my family about it, I did.”
His future at the club: “I am here to help the club. Fortunately, we have been going hand in hand for many years. I would like to be in the world of sports. But I have to learn. It is a new phase and experience. To be able to help, which is the most important thing is. I want to feel important in the sporting part.”
How was the decision: “It’s been a deliberate decision. First I tell the president, and then my coach and my teammates. Some of them didn’t like how it came to them because they wanted to surprise us.”
His best moment: “My star moment is hard to find in 14 years. I have been lucky enough to experience many beautiful moments. If I stay one, it’s the one I tell my dad that I’m already a player for the best team in the world. As an experience and a memory it will be there as long as I live.”
Pellegrini counted on him: “The coach has often tried to convince me. He knows he could give much more. The admiration we have is mutual. He watches me train and I know he enjoys watching me train.”
be president?: “Who wouldn’t want to be president one day… But it’s not my place. It’s Ángel Haro’s. My goal is to add and feel happy with the team that gave me everything”.
His best goal: “I prefer my first goal. From churro’
Her future: “First I start my adjustment process. And have five or six months of vacation… we’ll see. One way or another, football will continue to haunt me. It’s going to cost me something.”
Club Growth: “I could not have imagined the growth of this club in such a short time. I came with the illusion of enjoying my people, my Betis, my life. But knowing the difficulties”.
Betis: “My life. Everything you see there is my life. Look how all this has changed. The sports city, the stadium… Betis has been my life since I can remember. I got the chance to make a dream come true. It’s 23 years as a professional footballer and four years in the quarry. I can’t imagine this way of life without my Betis. Explaining to someone from the outside what Betis is always falls short. You will always miss something. There are many things and many ways to live and feel life, make it yours. The best way to find out what Betis is is to live it.”
clear decision: “At the moment there is no possibility that I will not retire. At the moment I have a very clear decision. I think what is to come can also be very nice and I am in time to get on that car. There are many open projects. Everything is up in the air and there are many doubts. When decisions are made, they are made firmly and you have to move forward. I want to continue to grow as a person and continue to show the love everyone has had for me.”
Fear at the end of the race: “I miss him more than I need to. That scares me a little. That smell of wet grass, the smell of the locker room, showering with your teammates every day, the laughter, the jokes… But I’m going to try to assimilate it as much possible. as soon as possible.”
Messages from your family and peers
The player was accompanied by his teammates, the Betis board, his family and the coach, Manuel Pellegrini, who left him a number of tribute messages.
Angel Haro: “That it is clear to you that Betis could not have had a better captain than Joaquín. Delivery, dedication, joy… all values that Real Betis embodies. His human quality has meant that there is no one better to represent.” us. When you arrived in 2015 with your arm in a cast, no one could have imagined that you would stay with us for eight years. Fortunately, football has been fair to you by allowing you to lift a Copa del Rey from the hands of His Majesty the King. We want you to take all our love with you, but he’s not going to leave Betis. It’s Betis. We want you to continue on the Board of Directors. We have a lot to do. Keep growing to establish Betis in the top positions of the table. We want to count on you. This act is a tribute to show you our love. But the real tribute will be when the season ends, so that the entire football world gives you the farewell you deserve. Thank you so much for what you gave Betis. For how he fought for all the fields in the world and thank you very much for being ‘Joaquín, the one from Betis’.
Manuel Pellegrini: “Joaquín has the farewell he deserves. The coach has a lot of authority, but the leaders more. Joaquín is one and he has managed to convey his ambition to his players.”Andrew saved: “For me it is a responsibility to take over his succession. You realize what Betis is by looking at how he is.”
Sergio Canale: “He made us emotional during his speech and it’s hard to imagine he won’t be there next year. His absence will be noted. ‘Joaquín has become one of 13 bars’
Juanito: “Everything you gave us Betics will stay in our hearts”:
Rafael Gordillo: “Here I cried for more than a day when they took me to see the ‘Champion’ movie.”
Eduardo Espejo, representing Joaquín: “It’s Joaquín, from Spain. Joaquín was lucky enough to come to Betis, and vice versa. What ultimately transcends is the affection of the people, and he’s picking up on that now.”
Susana Saborido, his wife: “Now he has no excuse to take the girls to school. I didn’t believe he would retire. The new stage makes me tremble.”
Source: Goal