Joaquin Practical joker gets serious as

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There was a surprise guest at the wedding of Real Betis star Joaquin in July 2005 surprise because this particular appearance hinged on the outcome of a football match five weeks earlier.As Joaquin and his new wife stood at the front of the church in his hometown of Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, something else couldnt help but hog attention.The Copa del New York Islanders Kids Jersey Rey trophy, draped in green and white ribbons stood tall literally, because its huge and proud.Thats right, the Copa del Rey was an especially notable guest at Joaquins wedding, as the winger then 23 years old had only recently helped Betis to just their second succe s in the competition and first since 1977.Joaquin has always been regarded as something of a practical joker, with that not-so-subtle wedding decoration very much from his wheelhouse.Fast-forward 17 years and Joaquin is readying himself for another tilt at the crown with his beloved Betis, who themselves havent reached the final since that momentous 2-1 extra-time win over Osasuna at the Vicente Calderon.Fittingly, Betis opponents on Saturday will be the other club most people would a sociate with Joaquin: Valencia, with whom he won the only other trophy of his career in 2008 also the Copa during a five-year spell.That triumph spawned another curious but no le s Joaquin photo of the winger with the trophy, as he was snapped stark naked squatting next to the cup in Valencias dre sing Nikolay Kulemin Men Jersey room.Hopefully social media wont see a repeat of that one on SaturdayJoaquin didnt feature for Valencia in that final, however, and therefore his 2005 succe s will gratefully remain the focus for most.While Joaquin is by no means the Betis regular he was 17 years ago when he was an exciting fleet-footed winger, this occasion will still be all about him in the build-up, with there also a degree of aptne s around the fact Saturdays game is taking place in Seville, at La Cartuja.This campaign is expected to be Joaquins last as a player. Now 40, his contract expires at the end of the season and in November he hinted retirement was likely in 2022. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini quickly looked to sweep that under the rug, adamant such decisions will wait until 2021-22 is finished, and theres been very little public discu sion of the subject from he or Joaquin since.Its easy to understand why many arent predicting another year of Joaquin in LaLiga, though. Even if you ignore the fairly important point of his age, his time on the pitch has reduced significantly this term.In LaLiga he has made only two starts this season and in total featured for Pat Lafontaine Women Jersey just 395 minutes. Of course, hes been used acro s multiple competitions in 2021-22 and was named in the starting XI eight times in the Europa League.But while his 31 appearances is actually one more than in 2020-21, his minutes-per-game average of 36 (1,117 total) is 12.4 minutes fewer than last term, highlighting how hes become even more of a peripheral figure.But thats not to say his influence has waned. Pellegrini stood aside before the first leg of their Copa semi-final defeat of Rayo Vallecano to let Joaquin deliver a speech.He said: Look each other in the eyes. We are here because of ourselves. I dont know if I should talk to you as a team-mate, friend or captain, but I will do it as a Betico, because I know what many of them must be feeling here today.They are going to be there until the death. The Beticos, and this club, have suffered for a long time. Sacrifice and effort lead to glory. Thats the reward. I had an uncle who used to say, and he taught me this, that theres nothing more beautiful than making other people happy today we have that chance. Were going to go out there and show we want to be in that final.Betis fell behind early on in that game in Vallecas but went on to win the game 2-1. They then looked to be heading for extra time when Bebe spectacularly put Rayo ahead with 80 minutes played of the second leg in Seville, but a moment of inspiration from Joaquin right at the end opened the Rayo defence up.He brought down a cro s-field pa s, glided away from Bebe and Alan Quine Kids Jersey slipped a perfectly weighted pa s in behind the defence for Sergio Canales, whose prodded pa s was deflected towards goal and tapped in by Borja Iglesias.The entire Betis bench and staff mobbed Joaquin at full-time, fully aware of what their achievement meant to him but it was also a show of appreciation, with the veterans cameo showing he remains a very useful option.On a per-90-minute basis acro s all competitions this season, Joaquin tops Betis charts for a sists (0.32), expected Tanner Fritz Men Jersey a sists (0.29) and chances created (2.9), while his 4.3 dribbles attempted is bettered by only three players.Of course, his sample size is much smaller than the likes of Nabil Fekir and Canales the point isnt that hes better than them, simply that hes packing a lot of quality into his relatively brief appearances.Dont expect to see his name in Betis line-up on Saturday, but do not be surprised if he comes on and makes a telling impact given the legendary status he holds not only at Betis but also in LaLiga, therell be many willing him to enjoy a succe sful end to a fine career.Lets not forget, his 595 LaLiga appearances is a record for an outfield player, while only one man in Spanish top-flight history has appeared in more seasons (Miguel Soler, 20) than his 19.A suming he does in fact play some part on Saturday, it will be his 106th Copa del Rey appearance, extending another record among non-goalkeepers.A 17th wedding anniversary might not be a big milestone for most, but you can count on Joaquin bringing the Copa along for the celebrations if Betis succeed this weekend.