Joaquín (footballer, born 1981)

Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez (Spanish pronunciation: [xoaˈkin ˈsantʃeθ roˈðɾiɣeθ]; born 21 July 1981), known simply as Joaquín, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for and captains Real Betis as a right winger.

For other footballers known as Joaquín, see Joaquín Alonso and Joaquín Rodríguez Espinar.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Sánchez and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.

Joaquín
Joaquín with Valencia in 2010
Personal information
Full name Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez[1]
Date of birth (1981-07-21) 21 July 1981[1]
Place of birth El Puerto de Santa María, Spain[1]
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Club information
Current team
 Betis
Number 17
Youth career
1997–1999 Betis
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2000 Betis B 27 (2)
2000–2006 Betis 218 (32)
2006–2011 Valencia 158 (18)
2011–2013 Málaga 57 (6)
2013–2015 Fiorentina 49 (4)
2015– Betis 170 (23)
National team
1999–2000 Spain U18 4 (0)
2001 Spain U21 7 (0)
2002–2007 Spain 51 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 January 2021

He is well known for his pace and acceleration, as well as excellent dribbling and crossing ability. During his career he was mainly associated with Betis and Valencia, appearing in 552 La Liga matches over 17 seasons and scoring 74 goals. In the competition he also represented Málaga, signing with Fiorentina from Italy in 2013.[2]

Joaquín was capped for Spain on 51 occasions, representing the nation in two World Cups and one European Championship.

Club career

Betis

Joaquín was born in El Puerto de Santa María, Province of Cádiz. In 1999–2000 he started his senior career, appearing regularly for Real Betis B (after spending two years in the youth ranks) as it was eventually relegated from the third division; in the following season he moved to the first team, making his professional debut on 3 September 2000 and having an immediate impact – 38 matches and three goals – as the Andalusians returned to La Liga after one year out.

Subsequently, Joaquín collected well over 200 official appearances for Betis in the following five years, assisting and scoring alike. During 2004–05 he played in all the games scoring five times, and added three goals in the campaign's Copa del Rey: in the latter, as the final was played at the Vicente Calderón Stadium on 11 June 2005, he played the full 90 minutes plus extra time as Betis won 2–1 against CA Osasuna.[3]

In the following season's UEFA Champions League, Joaquín appeared in all six group stage games for Betis, including the 1–0 triumph over Chelsea and a 0–0 draw against Liverpool, at Anfield (third-place finish, UEFA Cup "demotion").

In late July 2006, following a conversation with Joaquín, Betis chairman José León stated that the player had convinced him that he would stay at the club for another year. "It has surprised me a lot,” he admitted. “I came to convince him and on the contrary, he has convinced me", he further added.[4] In mid-August, the player caused shock at the club by declaring in a press conference his intentions to leave.

Valencia
Joaquín playing for Valencia in 2010

Joaquín was meant to move to Valencia CF in early August 2006 for €18 million, in a swap deal that also included Mario Regueiro.[5] However, some difficulties in the payment appeared, along with the Uruguayan's insistence in remaining at Valencia, with the transfer thus being delayed.

Joaquín was loaned to Albacete Balompié as punishment by Betis owner Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, due to the player taking a certain percentage of the transfer fee. Lopera used a clause in his contract whereby he could be loaned to any club if it was decided by Betis (Joaquín travelled to his new club's facilities using his own transport and, to prove that he did so, had himself photographed by operatives working nearby. The switch was subsequently cancelled).[6]

Joaquín officially moved to Valencia in late August 2006 for €25 million, making him the club's most expensive signing to that date as the player penned a five-year contract, with the choice of a further one-year extension.[7] In his first year, he played 35 matches and scored five goals as the Che made it to the Champions League's qualifying rounds.

In 2009–10, Joaquín began facing stiff competition for a starting berth, being challenged by younger Pablo Hernández; during the course of the campaign – Valencia also played in the UEFA Europa League – both players received roughly the same number of minutes, and scored a similar total of goals.[8][9]

With the departure of David Villa to FC Barcelona, Joaquín was given the No. 7 shirt for 2010–11. He led the scoring charts after the first round, netting twice in a 3–1 win at Málaga CF.[10] On 12 February 2011 he scored another brace, helping Valencia come from behind at Atlético Madrid to win it 2–1,[11] eventually finishing third and qualify to the Champions League.

Málaga
Joaquín in action against Levante in 2011

On 24 June 2011, Joaquín left Valencia and signed for Málaga for three years, for a fee of €4 million.[12] He made his debut for the club on 28 August in a 1–2 away loss against Sevilla FC,[13] and opened his scoring account by netting twice in another local derby, a 4–0 home win against Granada CF.[14]

In two home games in October 2012 separated by only four days, Joaquín scored to give Málaga the final win, on both occasions after having missed a penalty: he started against Real Valladolid (2–1)[15] then netted the match's only against A.C. Milan in the Champions League group stage.[16]

Fiorentina

On 13 June 2013, aged nearly 32, Joaquín moved abroad for the first time, agreeing a three-year deal with Italy's ACF Fiorentina.[17] He made his competitive debut for his new team on 29 August, starting in a 0–1 home loss against Grasshopper Club Zürich in the Europa League playoff round.[18]

Joaquín's first goal for the Viola came as a substitute on 20 October 2013, in a 4–2 home win over Serie A champions Juventus FC,[19] and his second of the league season was the only in a win at S.S.C. Napoli the following 23 March.[20] He also played a part in the team's run to the final of the Coppa Italia, netting in a 2–0 home win over A.C. ChievoVerona in the last 16.[21]

Return to Betis

On 31 August 2015, Joaquín returned to Betis by signing a three-year contract.[22] In 2017, he acquired a 2% share in his first club.[23]

On 15 September 2019, Joaquín found the net in a 1–1 draw against Getafe CF,[24] marking his 400th appearance for the green-and-whites – he also drew level with Julio Cardeñosa as the player with most Spanish top-tier appearances for Betis with 307.[25] On 8 December, he scored an 18-minute hat-trick (the first of his long career)[26] in a 3–2 home win over Athletic Bilbao, becoming the oldest player ever to achieve the feat in La Liga at the age of 38 years and 140 days, breaking the previous record of 37 years set by Alfredo Di Stéfano in 1964.[27][28] At the end of the year, he agreed to an extension until 2021.[29]

On 16 July 2020, in a 2–1 home loss to Deportivo Alavés, Joaquín made his 551st Spanish top division appearance, thereby surpassing Raúl as the outfield player with the most games in the competition. Only goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta remained ahead of him, on 622.[30]

International career

Joaquín made his debut for the Spain national team on 13 February 2002 against Portugal, in a 1–1 friendly played in Barcelona.[31] Brilliant club form for Betis saw him get called up for that year's FIFA World Cup, where he appeared twice: in his second match, the quarter-finals against co-hosts South Korea, he was involved in a couple of debatable decisions, including one incident where the linesman raised his flag for a goal kick as Joaquín was crossing a ball to Fernando Morientes, who was denied a golden goal – the argument was that the ball had crossed the line. However, replays showed that it did not; the game then went to penalties, and he was chosen to take Spain's fourth attempt – despite carrying an injury – which was blocked by Lee Woon-jae.[32][33]

Joaquín played again for Spain through the nation's premature exit at UEFA Euro 2004,[34] also being selected for the 2006 World Cup. He totalled five appearances, but was not first-choice at either competition, only starting twice overall.

During the early stages of the Euro 2008 qualification campaign, Spain lost 2–3 against Northern Ireland. After the match, Joaquín told in a Spanish radio interview: "Right now, the national team is a mess, chaos and Luis doesn't know how to handle it in these difficult moments. I know that what I'm saying is not going to help me get back into the national team, but it's what I feel." He later commented, "The only thing I wanted to say is that these are not clear times for the national squad after losing to Northern Ireland .... but it was not my intention to attack the team or Luis Aragonés";[35][32] subsequently, he failed to be selected again as the national side went on to record 35 consecutive games without defeat, winning a record 15 consecutive times and lifting the Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 trophies.

Personal life

Joaquín grew up in a big family, with eight brothers and sisters in total. As the third child, he had two elder brothers. Three of the eight children in this family are or have been engaged in football: besides Joaquín, his elder brother Lucas played for Cádiz CF, and his brother Ricardo also played in Betis' youth ranks.

Growing up, Joaquín wanted to be a bullfighter. Joaquín's uncle, nicknamed "El Chino", firmly believed in Joaquín's talent and paid for his daily round trip between Cádiz and Seville when Joaquín was in Betis' youth system. El Chino died in 2002, and since then Joaquín has dedicated most of his achievements to him remembered him as his mentor.[36]

After the 2005 domestic cup conquest Joaquín married Susana Sabol on 8 July. The trophy was present at the ceremony, as was the entire Betis squad.[37]

Career statistics

Club
As of 23 January 2021.[38][39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Betis B 1999–2000 Segunda División B 2720000272
Betis 2000–01 Segunda División 38310—393
2001–02 La Liga 34410—354
2002–03 37932514512
2003–04 36831—399
2004–05 38590—475
2005–06 35340120513
Total 2183221317125636
Valencia 2006–07 La Liga 3553080465
2007–08 3438470497
2008–09 3145141406
2009–10 28241134457
2010–11 3043051385
Total 1581823637621830
Málaga 2011–12 La Liga 23220—252
2012–13 34411103458
Total 576311037010
Fiorentina 2013–14 Serie A 2625162375
2014–15 2323080342
Total 49481142717
Betis 2015–16 La Liga 30120—321
2016–17 28310—293
2017–18 35410—364
2018–19 3067160437
2019–20 34822—3610
2020–21 14110—151
Total 171231436019126
Career total 6808569148412833111

    International
    Appearances and goals by national team and year[40]
    National teamYearAppsGoals
    Spain 200290
    200382
    200490
    200592
    200670
    200790
    Total514
    Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Joaquín goal.[40]
    List of international goals scored by Joaquín
    No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
    12 April 2003Antonio Amilivia, León, Spain Armenia3–03–0UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
    26 September 2003D. Afonso Henriques, Guimarães, Portugal Portugal2–03–0Friendly
    39 February 2005Juegos Mediterráneos, Almería, Spain San Marino1–05–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification
    426 March 2005El Helmántico, Salamanca, Spain China PR3–03–0Friendly

    Honours

    Club

    Betis

    Valencia

    Fiorentina

    Individual

    References
    1. "JOAQUÍN Sánchez Rodríguez". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 September 2019.
    2. McTear, Euan (21 September 2018). "Joaquín: Real Betis player, captain, shareholder, legend". Tifo Football. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
    3. "Dani delivers for Betis". UEFA. 12 June 2005. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
    4. "León dice que Joaquín se entregará al Betis" [León says Joaquín will commit to Betis]. Marca (in Spanish). 26 July 2006. Retrieved 27 July 2006.
    5. "Lopera soltará a Joaquín por 18 millones y Regueiro" [Lopera will let Joaquín go for 18 million and Regueiro]. Marca (in Spanish). 18 August 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
    6. "Lopera intenta ceder a Joaquín al Albacete" [Lopera tries to loan Joaquín to Albacete]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 25 August 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
    7. "Joaquín ficha por el Valencia" [Joaquín signs for Valencia]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 August 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
    8. "Joaquín: "La Liga es muy larga y tendré mi ocasión"" [Joaquín: "The League is very long and I will have my chance"]. Marca (in Spanish). 9 September 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
    9. "El segundo de Emery contesta a Joaquín: "Que piense si ha merecido la continuidad que reclama"" [Emery's sidekick answers Joaquín: "Maybe he should think if he deserves the opportunity he is crying out for"]. Marca (in Spanish). 26 April 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
    10. "Valencia shrug off departures". ESPN Soccernet. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
    11. "Joaquin shines to pile misery on Atletico". ESPN Soccernet. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
    12. "Joaquin adds to Malaga acquisitions". FIFA. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
    13. "Sevilla see off Malaga". ESPN Soccernet. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
    14. "Malaga ease to victory". ESPN Soccernet. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
    15. "Malaga leave it late". ESPN Soccernet. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
    16. "Joaquín keeps Málaga perfect at Milan's expense". UEFA. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
    17. "Joaquin signs for Fiorentina". Football Italia. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
    18. "Fiorentina-Grasshopper 0–1: Ben Khalifa spaventa il Franchi ma è la 'Viola' a staccare il pass per la fase a gironi" [Fiorentina-Grasshopper 0–1: Ben Khalifa scares the Franchi but it's the 'Viola' who go through to group stage] (in Italian). Goal. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
    19. "Fiorentina 4–2 Juventus". BBC Sport. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
    20. "Napoli 0–1 Fiorentina: Joaquin downs 10-man hosts". Goal. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
    21. "Fiorentina 2–0 Chievo". Sky Sports. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
    22. Rincón, Jaime (31 August 2015). "Joaquín bound for Betis". Marca. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
    23. Davis, Matt (11 April 2019). "Joaquin: Real Betis icon on 'love story' with boyhood club, & his next chapter at age 37". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
    24. Díaz, Juan Carlos (15 September 2019). "A penalty and a point apiece for Real Betis and Getafe". Marca. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
    25. Morán, Miguel Ángel; Kostopoulos, Panos (16 September 2019). "Joaquin celebrates appearances record with a goal against Getafe". Marca. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
    26. Rodríguez, Toni (8 December 2019). "Así hizo Joaquín su primer hat-trick a los 38 años" [This is how Joaquín got his first hat-trick at the age of 38]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 December 2019.
    27. "Joaquín becomes oldest player to score LaLiga hat-trick". Diario AS. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
    28. Martin, Richard; Radnedge, Christian (8 December 2019). "Joaquin hits milestone La Liga hat-trick aged 38". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
    29. "Joaquín renueva con el Real Betis hasta 2021" [Joaquín renews with Real Betis until 2021] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
    30. "Joaquín y su extraordinario récord en una temporada amarga" [Joaquín and his extraordinary record in a bitter season]. ABC (in Spanish). 17 July 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
    31. Suárez, Orfeo (13 February 2002). "Portugal sujeta a España en Montjuïc" [Portugal hold Spain at Montjuïc]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 May 2018.
    32. "Korean dream lives on". BBC Sport. 22 June 2002. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
    33. Hayward, Paul (23 June 2002). "Korean miracle spoilt by refereeing farce". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
    34. "Sáez selects Spain squad". UEFA. 20 May 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
    35. Tynan, Gordon (6 October 2006). "Joaquin unsettles Spain with 'chaos' theory". The Independent. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
    36. Lowe, Sid (23 September 2010). "Valencia fatalism gives way to optimism". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
    37. Delmás, Alejandro (30 May 2006). "17. Joaquín Sánchez, un junco fino de cintura" [17. Joaquín Sánchez, a rush with a thin waist]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 June 2014.
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    39. Joaquín at ESPN FC
    40. "Joaquín". European Football. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
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