Joaquin Sanchez (42), a midfielder from the Spanish national team that competed in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, has decided to retire. It has been 24 years since his last professional debut in 1999.
Joaquin announced his retirement on the 20th through his social media메이저사이트 (SNS) account. “The moment has come when I have to say that this season is the end of my career as a player,” he wrote.
Joaquin remains a memorable figure in the 2002 World Cup to domestic fans. Joaquin, who met Korea as the youngest member of the Spanish national team at the time, directed a scene that was forever engraved in his football life in the penalty shootout in the quarterfinals. He started as Spain’s fourth kicker, but was blocked by Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae’s save, and was branded as the culprit of the team’s defeat.
However, he erased his memories of the time and grew into one of the leading players in the Primera Liga. Shortly after the announcement of Joaquin’s retirement, Real Madrid posted on their social media accounts, “It has been an honor to play football with him so far.”
Joaquin was born in Real Betis youth and debuted in Betis first team in 2000. After going through Valencia, Malaga (above Spain) and Fiorentina (Italy) from 2006 to 2015, he returned to Betis and played all the way. In the meantime, he sent love calls from China and the Middle East, offering a huge salary, but he kept his loyalty to Betis. Last season, he led Betis to win the Spanish King’s Cup (Copa del Rey) for the first time in 17 years.
Joaquin played 615 matches in the Primera Liga. It is second place, 7 games behind legendary goalkeeper Andoni Subisaretta (622 matches), who is recording first place in the Primera Liga career. Betis has 9 games left this season, so if they play in 8 or more games in the remaining schedule, there is a chance that they will rise to the top of their career.