THE Joaquin visited Greece to compete against Valencia, Malaga and Betis. We were scared that afternoon of June 16, 2004, Wednesday, in Porto, but the national football team finally beamed the first smile of what was to follow with that mythical Euro. He may not have competed in our country – although, he admits, the sirens were ringing in his ears – Greece has always “haunted” him.

From his birthplace, his birthplace, Puerto de Santa María, the land where the King of Athens in the Trojan War, Menestheus, immigrated when, according to a mythical version, he fled to the Pillars of Hercules and reached the Guadalete River. From there, near Cadiz, he learned to always face the Atlantic. And he did not renounce his beloved Andalusia – except for a while and only for professional reasons.

The chaos of 41 years doesn’t stop the Spaniard from still competing at the highest level in Spain and Europe. Even Mourinho hugged/admired him. With this teenager’s momentum, it’s like time has stood still in Betis, where he started.

Talk to me Sportish about the elixir of his youth, Gustavo Poget, Mitchell, Tha-Thagorakis, Greece 2004, the Parthenon, his memories of his visits to our country. The moves that terrified every defender, the jokes he cracks without hesitation on social media, where he’s particularly active, and the willingness to “crumple” his profile for the authenticity of his character.

Way of life Bettis, in my mind I still feel like a teenager

“For me, and I’ve always said it, Betis is a way of life. It’s the team I grew up with as a footballer, but also as a person. Betis was a professional opportunity for me. This is where I grew up, this is where I became a footballer.

So I feel very identified with the team. They love me very much and I feel like another member of this family. The years I’ve spent here and this special relationship shows what Betis means to me. It always made me feel special and – as I said – part of a big family. This is how I feel and this is how I enjoy it.

I think the secret that keeps me playing is that I still feel like a footballer. As far as fitness goes, even at 41, I’m not the kid that started in my 20s. Years pass and in terms of physical condition you do not have the strong elements that will accompany you for most of your professional career.

But you win in some others. There is never a shortage of work as it keeps you alive and competitive. Mentally I still feel like that teenager, in terms of endurance I’m somewhat lacking in some of the fitness that I had before. It’s clear that I’ve changed“.

Greece, Fyssas and the transfer that didn’t happen

“It fills me with pride to be an inspiration to children in Greece. If you are considered a prophet in your country, imagine what it will be like abroad. It is the reward for everything you have done, if you are a role model for children in your country, think of another country like Greece that has you as a role model. It is certainly a pride and a privilege. That means being able to inspire these children. To identify with you.

The first two things that come to mind from Greece are history and architecture. I think most of us have mostly visited the Parthenon. It is one of the most beautiful monuments that could exist in this world. It is the history of this place that makes us identify with your country“.

In fact, the goat suffered with me

“I remember the very difficult Euro 2004 game against Greece, we had a very good team. I wasn’t a starter, I was replaced by Inaki Saeth instead of Etseberia. The game ended 1:1. I entered the field to piss them off, cross and try to win the game.

I made a lot of attacks from the right and in fact the full-back (ss Takis Fysas) suffered with me. I wasn’t a starter in this tournament, but in every game I tried to win the 45 minutes that suited me. I remember upsetting them a lot, but unfortunately we couldn’t win.

I didn’t think a priori, I didn’t think that Greece could win this European Championship in Portugal. The favourites, at least at the start of the event, were us and the hosts, Portugal. We happened to be in the same group and eventually the Greeks passed with the Portuguese. Of course I thought Portugal could win. But Greece played a very good Euro and they deserved to win, they deserved to lift the trophy“.

“At the World Cup in Qatar, Spain are the clear favorites, despite being in a different phase. She plays one-touch football, football that is thoroughly analyzed, she will always have a lot of chances and she will always be among the favourites.

We’re one of the obvious choices, but at a World Cup there are a lot of national teams that could suffer but have the same chances as us“.

There was interest from a Greek team

“Of the games I played in Greece, I always remember the ones with the national team, their fans. They also live football very passionately, they sing for 90 minutes. I always remember that from Greece, wherever I played in your country.

Mainly in Athens, of course, because that’s where I played more with the Spanish national team. I remember the excitement with which the fans watched the game, with this euphoria. The Greek fans have always played a very important role when we have played there.

Of the football players, I remember the captain well. Thagorakis. He was small but very strong. A footballer that always caught my eye because he was aggressive, strong, a very good technician, he had very good positioning, he was a footballer that always caught my eye because he had personality on the pitch and that transmits . I like to remember him. He didn’t miss a single ball. Zagorakis.

I won’t say specifically if there has ever been a cooperation proposal from a Greek team. However, the truth is that when I was at Betis in my first spell and it was said that I was leaving, my name was on the list of many sporting directors. Certainly there were sports managers in Greece too.

I remember the interest of a team that wanted to take me on. I look back fondly on that time because it’s always a privilege and a pride to take an interest in one country’s team or another. But I don’t remember exactly which team it was, under what circumstances exactly“.

Roberto Carlos, Poget, Mitchell

“The one who most motivated me to compete against him because of the aggression and the difficulty that you had to control was Roberto Carlos. Whenever Betis – Real or Real – Betis played, the duel between us was always the first topic.

It was very nice that I experienced who Roberto Carlos was, but also for the football I played. It was a duel with a lot of tension. He defended, I attacked, we always tried to win the game. They were very nice games and I was looking forward to them because it was becoming increasingly difficult to overtake him“.

Poget is a pro, Mitchell is a great footballer

“I have good memories of Gustavo Poget. Unfortunately stuff they didn’t go to him as he wishes, but this is a very good coach with a clear argument. A trainer popular in the dressing room, easy to talk to, who instills honesty and calm.

He’s a pro in every way when you put the pieces of his career together. If you help him, he is a very positive person. As I said, things didn’t go well for him here. But if they let him work, I have no doubt that he can play an important role and be a very good association for the Greek national team.

On the other hand, I know less about Mitchell than Gustavo, in the sense that I haven’t worked with him. But Mitchell is a coach with a long career in the Spanish league, having worked in many teams. I wish him the best of luck in Greece. Undoubtedly a great footballer in a generation before mine“.

The two faces of the same Joaquin

“We live in a time where freedom of expression is paramount, of course if you respect and don’t harm the other. For me, no one can judge me for what I do off the field.

Yes, he can criticize me in one way or another for what I’m doing on the field. I always try to be professional and give the maximum. I bless God that I have over 20 years as a professional soccer player.

In my private life I have a different face that I enjoy. It’s a face that shows exactly who I am and doesn’t hurt anyone. But I’m not the only one. I express myself very clearly when I show what my everyday life looks like. This has nothing to do with my private life, because I’m a professional. I’m trying to live for my job, for football and for being another member of the team“.