Who is Joaquin? The 40-year-old Real Betis and Valencia great bidding for Copa del Rey glory

Jeorge Bird

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Who is Joaquin? The 40-year-old Real Betis and Valencia great bidding for Copa del Rey glory image

Real Betis captain Joaquin will turn 41 years old in July, but he has been an integral part of his side's impressive 2021/22 season.

In his second stint at Betis, having rejoined the club in 2015, Joaquin has made 31 appearances for Betis this season in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Europa League.

Saturday, April 23 will be a momentous day in the storied career of one of Spain's most popular players. Betis will take on Valencia, one of Joaquin's former clubs, in the final of the Copa del Rey at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville.

He was involved the last time that Betis won a trophy — the 2005 Copa — and he lifted the trophy again three years later with Valencia. Another triumph this season would complete quite the trilogy.

Here's a look at Joaquin's career and the impact that he has made at Betis.

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What is Joaquin's position and playing style? 

Earlier in his career, Joaquin was deployed as a flying winger, with his pace and trickery causing problems for opponents.

Capable of playing on either flank but usually used on the right, Joaquin has excellent close control and an eye for a pass. Even though he isn't as quick nowadays, he can still make an impact and can play as an attacking midfielder, which enables him to link play effectively.

He has managed two goals and two assists in 31 appearances in all competitions this season, including two of each in just four appearances in Betis' run to the Copa final.

Where has Joaquin played?

Years Team Appearances Goals
1999-2000 Real Betis B 27 2
2000-2006 Real Betis 217 32
2006-2011 Valencia 218 30
2011-2013 Malaga 70 10
2013-2015 Fiorentina 71 7
2015-present Real Betis 237 29

Joaquin's career started at Betis and is also likely to finish with the Seville club. He had a lengthy spell at Valencia, which included him winning the 2008 Copa, having joined for a then-club-record fee of €25 million in 2006.

The only time Joaquin has played for a foreign club was when he was at Fiorentina between 2013 and 2015.

Which trophies has Joaquin won?

Joaquin won the Copa del Rey with Betis in 2004-05 and lifted the same trophy with Valencia in the 2007-08 campaign.

In his first season in Italy, he helped Fiorentina reach the Coppa Italia final, where they lost 3-1 to a strong Napoli side that included Jorginho, Marek Hamsik, Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain.

Joaquin's international career

Joaquin made 51 appearances for Spain between 2002 and 2007, scoring four goals. He was hugely impressive at the 2002 World Cup as Spain reached the quarter-finals, although he missed the crucial penalty in the shootout defeat to co-hosts South Korea at the quarter-final stage. He was also involved at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. 

However, having criticised the national team set-up, Joaquin missed out on involvement during Spain's golden era as they won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Joaquin's records as an ageless wonder 

Given his age, Joaquin has broken several records in recent years.

In December 2019, at the age of 38 years and 140 days, he netted three times against Athletic Bilbao and became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in La Liga, surpassing the previous record set by Alfredo Di Stefano.

In July 2020, Joaquin became the outfield player with the most appearances in La Liga. He has now played 596 times in the competition, with only goalkeeper Andoni Zubizaretta ahead of him on 622 appearances.

Joaquin is also the oldest player in La Liga at present and, this season, he became the oldest player to score a headed goal across Europe's top five leagues in the past decade.

Jeorge Bird