"Age is not the reason I'm about to retire, what really made me decide to retire was because I found myself unable to play anymore. I still have dreams, I try my best every day in training, but the reality is that there is too little time to play..."
Saying this is Joaquin, the captain of La Liga side Real Betis, who is 40 years old this year. Joaquin is sure it will be his last season.
For his decision to retire, Joaquin said humorously, "My wife is already flipping through the newspapers and helping me find a job, and he doesn't want me to be nestled in the couch every day." ”
Unconsciously, the former Spanish Golden Boy has entered a year of confusion. From the time he entered beettis Academy in 1994, the blonde teenager showed superior skill.
The side break is Joaquin's specialty, his right side break is not only fast, but also able to change direction in an instant. Joaquin's internal cutting in the process of breakthrough is also his housekeeping skill.
As early as the 2000–01 season, Joaquin entered the first team of Betis and was promoted from La Liga to La Liga. In the 01-02 season, Betis became a dark horse, finishing sixth in La Liga and winning a place in the UEFA Cup. The 20-year-old Joaquin made 34 appearances, scored 6 goals and was recognized as Spain's golden boy and future star.
Next, it was the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup that fans were familiar with, and the South Korean team "blacked" all the way to the end, and Portugal, Spain, and Italy all fell down.
Joaquin is not only a witness to the black whistle, but also a direct victim. Spain, which won all three games in the group stage, successfully reached the quarter-finals and their opponent was South Korea.
In normal time, the South Korean team scored a oolong ball, which was actually determined by the referee to be invalid. In extra time, Joaquin showed his signature kung fu, the side of the bottom cross, Morientes followed in time, the header broke the goal.
Morientes' goal did not have any fouls and was not offside at all, which was difficult for the referee from Ecuador. Or is he astute enough to directly blow Joaquin in the pass, the ball has been out of the bottom line, the goal is invalid.
Ironically, the big screen on the scene is playing back the moment of Joaquin's pass, and it can be clearly seen that the ball is pressed on the bottom line, and there is no slightest out of bounds. In the end, South Korea eliminated Spain with a penalty shootout.
Looking back at the World Cup back to the league, Joaquin has played for four teams throughout his career, starting in 2001 and appearing in the top league for 20 seasons.
In La Liga, he played for Betis, Valencia and Malaga. He also joined Serie A and played for Fiorentina. Throughout his career, although the young Joaquin was a regular for the Spanish national team, and although the giants threw olive branches again and again, Joaquin never chose to join.
In the summer of 2015, Joaquin, who had finished his Serie A journey, returned to Betis. There, it was where his dream began.
Many people think that joaquin's return to Betis at the age of 35 is just a sentiment. But in fact, Joaquin's breakthrough is still sharp.
In 6 seasons from 15 to 21, Joaquin made at least 28 appearances per season. Not only that, but in Betis' match against Bilbao on December 9, 2019, only 19 minutes after the opening, the 38-year-old Joaquin scored a hat-trick.
Today, Joaquin, who has entered the forty mark, is no longer as brave as he was then. The golden boy of the past, his face is also full of vicissitudes.
I hope that joaquin will be able to go well after retiring, and thank you for bringing good memories to the fans!