Joaquín Sánchez

Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez, (born 21 July 1981 in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz (province)) is a Spain association football who plays for Valencia CF. Joaquín Sánchez is a Midfielder Winger well known for Joaquín Sánchez lightning quick pace, acceleration, dribbling, and pinpoint crossing.

Career

Real Betis

During the 1999-00 season, Joaquín played 26 games for Real Betis B, scoring two goals. Joaquín Sánchez then played 38 games, scoring three goals, in the Real Betis first team in the Segunda División during the 2000-01 season. Betis were promoted the same season.

Joaquín made over 180 appearances in La Liga and scored 29 goals in Joaquín Sánchez following five seasons with Real Betis. Joaquín Sánchez also scored three goals in the Copa del Rey. Joaquín Sánchez was a consistent assister of goals for Real Betis, assisting over 50 goals in five La Liga seasons. Joaquín played in two third round qualifying UEFA Champions League matches, as well as 6 group stages matches in 2005, including a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea F.C. and a 0-0 draw against Liverpool F.C. at Anfield. Joaquín also made nine UEFA Cup appearances in Joaquín Sánchez career, scoring one goal.

Joaquín won Joaquín Sánchez first and only medal for Real Betis during the Copa del Rey final against CA Osasuna at the Vicente Calderón Stadium stadium, on 11 June 2005. Joaquín played the full 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time as Betis won 2-1.

On 27 July 2006, following a discussion with Joaquín, Real Betis chairman José León stated that Joaquin had convinced Joaquín Sánchez that Joaquín Sánchez would stay at Real Betis for another year. "It has surprised me a lot,” Joaquín Sánchez admitted. “I came to convince Joaquín Sánchez and on the contrary, Joaquín Sánchez has convinced me", stated José León. Then, during mid-August, Joaquín shocked Los Béticos by declaring in a press conference Joaquín Sánchez intentions to leave Real Betis.

Valencia

Joaquín was meant to move to Valencia CF in early August 2006 for €15 million, along with a swap deal that included Mario Ignacio Regueiro. However, some difficulties in the payment appeared, along with Regueiro's insistence in staying at Valencia, which meant that the transfer was delayed. A bid of €25 million was later accepted. Joaquín was loaned to Albacete Balompié as punishment by Manuel Ruiz de Lopera due to Joaquín taking a certain percentage of the transfer fee. Manuel Ruiz de Lopera used a clause in Joaquín's contract whereby Joaquín Sánchez could be loaned to any club if it was decided by Real Betis. Joaquín went to Albacete using Joaquín Sánchez own transport and to prove that Joaquín Sánchez went to the club Joaquín Sánchez had himself photographed by operatives working nearby. The switch to Albacete was then canceled. Joaquín officially moved to Valencia in late August 2006 for €25 million, making Joaquín Sánchez Valencia's most expensive signing. Having sorted out financial dealings with Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, signing a five year contract, with the choice of a further one year extension.

International Career

Joaquín made Joaquín Sánchez debut for the Spain national football team on 13 February 2002 against Portugal national football team in a 1-1 Exhibition game.

Brilliant form for Real Betis saw Joaquín Sánchez get called up for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Joaquín Sánchez was involved in a couple of debatable decisions during the controversial quarter-final match against South Korea national football team, including one incident where the linesman raised Joaquín Sánchez flag for a goal kick as Joaquín was crossing a ball to Fernando Morientes who was denied an arguably legitimate golden goal. The argument was that the ball had crossed the line; however, replays clearly show that it never did. The game went to penalties where Joaquín was chosen to take Spain's fourth penalty which was controversially blocked by Lee Woon-Jae, who stepped off Joaquín Sánchez line before the ball was actually touched, breaking the rules. There was, however, no action taken. After the match, there was international condemnation of the refereeing conduct and decisions.

Joaquín Sánchez played again for Spain in two out of three (once as a starter) games through their premature exit at UEFA Euro 2004 and as the team's first choice Midfielder Winger at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

During the early stages of Spain's campaign to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008, they lost 3-2 to Northern Ireland national football team, after the match, Joaquín told Spanish radio, "Right now, the national team is a mess, chaos and Luis Aragonés 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." Joaquín Sánchez 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". Since making the comments, Joaquín has failed to be called up again for the Spain team.

Personal Life

Joaquín grew up in a big family with eight brothers and sisters in total. As the third child, Joaquín Sánchez had two elder brothers. Three of the eight children in this family are or have been engaged in football. Besides Joaquín, the elder Lucas played in Cadiz while another brother, Ricardo, has joined Real Betis youth team too.

It was Joaquín's uncle, who was called "El Chino", firmly believed in Joaquín's talent and afforded the daily round trip between Cádiz CF and Sevilla FC when Joaquin was in the Real Betis youth system. Joaquín Sánchez died in 2002. Ever since then, Joaquín has dedicated every achievements to Joaquín Sánchez and always remembered Joaquín Sánchez as Joaquín Sánchez forever mentor.

After the historical winning of Copa del Rey in season 2004-05, Joaquín married Joaquín Sánchez sweetheart Susana on 8 July, with the trophy present as a distinguished witness of their love and with the whole Betis team attended the wedding ceremony. The cathedral was decorated with green and white, the traditional colours of Real Betis, and so was the trophy. Joaquín even said Joaquín Sánchez would like to pick up a green suit to celebrate the most important moment of Joaquín Sánchez life. With the transfer to Valencia CF in the summer of 2006, Joaquín became a father. Joaquín Sánchez daughter Daniela was born on 22 September, but almost half a season later, in the away match against Gimnàstic de Tarragona on 25 February 2007 that Joaquín finally got the opportunity to dedicate Joaquín Sánchez first goal in Valencia to Joaquín Sánchez little girl.

Honours

Club

- Real Betis
- - Copa del Rey: 2005

- Valencia CF
- - Copa del Rey: 2008