Few soccer players say goodbye to professional sports like Joaquín Sánchez has. The legendary Real Betis footballer held a match with other legends of the stature of Iker Casillas, Guti, Cazorla and Sergio Ramos on Tuesday June 6 at his house, in the Benito Villamarín stadium. In addition, this meeting was broadcast live on television thanks to La Sexta and other streaming platforms such as Atresplayer and the Betis TV channel.
The 41-year-old Andalusian athlete put an end to a legendary career with great emotion. His career, always linked to the Verdiblanco club, has marked a before and after in the Sevillian team, where he is already considered the eternal captain and a legend.
The tribute, a game full of goals, but also emotion, laughter and beautiful words, was told by Eva González as the master of ceremonies and with the artist Niña Pastori as a guest artist.
Pastori sang the song Cai, one of the midfielder's favorite songs, accompanied by a piano. From Cádiz to the core, Joaquín could not suppress his tears with the interpretation of his countrywoman on a day as special as that.
During the meeting we were able to see the Betic protagonist very excited to be able to say goodbye in style to the fans that have accompanied him for the last 23 years of his life, as well as to live this moment that he will never forget hand in hand with his wife, his daughters, his friends and other professional colleagues with whom he has played for more than two decades.
Among the public, some public figures stood out who did not want to miss the historic moment in which 'Joaquín el del Betis' said goodbye to professional football. César Cadaval from 'Los Morancos', Vicky Martín Berrocal and Alba Díaz, the bullfighter Juan Antonio Ruiz 'Espartaco', etc., all attended the sporting event.
But, in addition to all those present, there was also a star guest who sent him a message from a distance. Alejandro Sanz could not attend the event, but he sent him a very special video that was projected in the stadium: "You are a gift for those of us who know you and for those who don't know you as well. If you've been able to play until you're 41 years at Betis I don't even want to imagine how many years you'll be on TV and giving up. I love you very much, I thank you for your love, your art and your way of seeing life. I couldn't be there because I'm fixing the drawers from the kitchen, but I love you very much, congratulations".
In addition to all the celebrities who wanted to accompany Joaquín, thousands of fans of his team went to Villamarín with banners of thanks for all the work, affection and love that the Andalusian has put into the Verdiblanco team.
"I don't know what I've done for so much love, honestly," the player began by saying when he took the microphone to say goodbye to those present. A little later, Joaquín went on to thank his teammates, the workers who cannot be seen, but who make it possible for everything to go well in each game and in each event, his friends and family... everything they have done for him in recent years, since without them "nothing would have been possible".
"As a footballer I'm leaving, but I'm going to be lucky to continue there with you working side by side to live up to this piece of fans who are the best in the world," the Verdiblanco ended by saying, unable to hold back his tears. .
