Joaquín Sánchez

Joaquín, full name Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez, (born July 21, 1981 in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz (province)) is a Spain football (soccer), currently playing for Valencia CF. He is a right Midfielder Winger, famed for his bursts of speed, potent dribbling ability and dangerous crossing, he called El artista del puerto

Career

Real Betis

During the 1999-00 season, Joaquín played 26 games for Real Betis B, scoring 2 goals. He then played 38 games, scoring 3 goals, in the Real Betis first team in the Segunda División during the 2000-01 season. Real Betis were promoted the same season.

Joaquín made over 180 appearances in La Liga and scored 29 goals in his following five seasons with Real Betis. He also scored 3 goals in the Copa del Rey. He 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 9 UEFA Cup appearances in his career, scoring one goal.

Joaquín won his first and only medal for Real Betis during the Copa del Rey final against CA Osasuna at the Vicente Calderón Stadium stadium, on June 11 2005. Joaquín played the full ninety minutes plus thirty minutes of extra time as Real Betis won 2-1. Joaquín was instrumental in their success.

On May 25 2006, Joaquín confirmed that he was considering leaving Real Betis, admitting that he would welcome a move to the English Premier League in the summer, although La Liga would be his preferred option. However, on July 27 2006 following a discussion with Joaquín, Real Betis chairman José León stated that Joaquin had convinced him that he would stay at Real Betis for another year. "It has surprised me a lot,” he admitted. “I came to convince him and on the contrary, he has convinced me", stated José León. Then, during mid-August, Joaquín shocked los béticos by declaring in a press conference his intentions to leave Real Betis.

Valencia CF

Joaquín finally made his big move to a big club by joining the Spanish giants Valencia CF, he was thought to have moved to Valencia in early August 2006 for €15.0 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 €25.0 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 he could be loaned to any club if it was decided by Real Betis. Joaquín went to Albacete using his own transport and to prove that he went to the club he had himself photographed by operatives working nearby. The switch to Albacete was then cancelled.

Joaquín then officially moved to Valencia in late August 2006 for €25.0 million, having sorted out financial dealings with Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, signing a five year contract, with the choice of a further one year extension.

He received a very good reception from home Real Betis fans in their 2-1 over Valencia on January 28, 2007. Joaquin appeared as a substitute during the match.

International team

Joaquín was a member of the Spain national football team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and missed the crucial penalty which eliminated them from the competition against South Korea national football team in the quarter-finals. However, he played again for Spain at 2004 UEFA European Football Championship and also at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Honours

Trivia

- According to Real Betis president José León, Joaquín had a buy-out clause in his contract of €60.0 million.
- As a teenager, Joaquín's idols were Michael Laudrup, bullfighter Curro Torres and flamenco legend Camarón de la Isla.
- During the 2004-05 La Liga season, Joaquín did not miss one league appearance for Real Betis.
- Joaquín wore shirt number 17 during his entire Real Betis career. He also wears the number on Spain national football team.
- The player he most admires is Luís Figo. Joaquín claims to possess several of his shirts.