Joaquín Sánchez puts an end to his career with his tribute match at Villamarín

MADRID, 7 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Spanish Joaquín Sánchez received the affection of the Real Betis fans this Tuesday, who came to say goodbye to him in sport with the tribute match between a team of players and ex-players of the Verdiblanco team and a selection of Legends.

Benito Villamarín presented a great entrance to say goodbye to one of his most mythical players, with 23 seasons behind him, 14 of them with the club of his loves, with whom he played his 622nd game in the League last Sunday against Valencia, equaling the record of exporter Andoni Zubizarreta, 406 with the bética elastic.

On this occasion, in a relaxed atmosphere and surrounded by ex-teammates and friends, the man from Puerto de Santa María enjoyed his sacking and even scored two goals against Iker Casillas in his team’s 6-4 victory. Marco Assuncçao, Denilson, Ricardo Oliveira, Fernando, Arzu or Capi were some of those who shared a team with the man from Cádiz to face a formation with figures such as Raúl González, Sergio Ramos, Julio Baptistao, Carlos Marchena, Santi Cazorla or Diego Tristán.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to speak because I don’t know what I’ve done for so much love, honestly,” said an emotional Joaquín after the meeting ended, the proceeds of which will go to his Foundation, focused on the fight against childhood cancer.

The former midfielder “thanked all” the teammates who answered his call for “such a special day” and also “all the people” who had made it possible for him to live “a happy day”. “To my people, to my family, to my wife, to my daughters, thank you for always being there,” he said.

“We are going to be there at the foot of the canyon. As a footballer I am leaving, but I am going to be lucky to continue there with you, working side by side to be up to the task of this piece of fans who are the best in the world without a doubt “Without you none of this would have been possible. Thanks again, long live Betis and long live the Betis fans. Thank you very much, see you always, I love you”, he sentenced.