Real Betis legend Joaquin has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the current season. The 41-year-old has made the most appearances of any outfield player in the history of La Liga with 615 to his name so far.
The record for the most appearances in the competition is held by legendary Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta at 622, and the veteran could surpass that number by the time he ends the season. There are nine games to go, and if he plays all of them, he could set a new record at 624 appearances in the Spanish top flight.
Real Betis legend Joaquin announces retirement
Joaquin came through the Real Betis academy and won the Copa del Rey with them in 2005. He went on to join Valencia and win another Copa del Rey with them in 2009 before leaving for Malaga, with whom he went to the Champions League quarter finals.
In 2013, he signed for Fiorentina in Serie A before returning to Real Betis in 2015. He has been with the club ever since, but has now decided to call it a day. Betis have won the Copa del Rey three times in their history, and Joaquin has won two of them, with their most recent being in 2022.
The midfielder has made an eye-catching 839 appearances throughout his career, spanning 23 seasons. He has scored 112 goals and provided 102 assists, and will go down as one of the greats to play out of Spain.
