On December 2, a fierce battle came to an end in the Copa del Rey, with Real Betis defeating Alicante 4-0 on the road, and Betis captain Joaquín played a key role in the victory, with a shot and two passes to help his team. After the match, the 40-year-old Spanish legend shared his feelings in an interview and looked ahead to the upcoming match against Barcelona this weekend.
-Perfect start to the Copa del Rey campaign.
"I feel very satisfied because in a game like this you have to concentrate and respect every opponent. It's a rare opportunity for them to play alongside a Liga MX team. And this type of tournament is always full of surprises. Today's win was crucial for us to start our Copa del Rey journey, and I'm happy that my performance helped the team to win, which was the most important thing I expected to do when I came on stage."
--Warm welcome from the fans
"I always repeat that these accolades are a source of satisfaction and honor for me because the fans have warmed me with their hospitality and the applause and cheers have been the loudest. I would like to thank you all for this deep love that will always be with me and this team. Also, I wish Alicante the best of luck."
-- Joaquin, the only player in the 21st century to score goals in 21 consecutive official seasons
"These records will be broken in the future as well. It's not easy to stay in La Liga, and some people might think that the games I've played don't matter, but every time I've taken the field I've done so with special passion and motivation, and these games have made me feel like a real soccer player. Even though I don't have to prove myself to anyone, it's a chance to show others that I'm a competitive person."
--Saturday, Battle of Camp Nou
"Xavi is a close friend of mine and I hope he is well after Saturday. We're coming back to La Liga and the team is in good shape. We will face an extremely tough away game, but we will be full of fighting spirit because we are a threatening team away from home as well. We're there to try and win, cause them problems and ultimately take the three points."
