Joaquin Sanchez

Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez, commonly known as Joaquin, is one of the most gifted Spanish international players currently playing for La Liga club Malaga. He is 31 years of age and is renowned for his bags full of skills and tricks that have earned him the nickname ‘The Spanish Figo’. He is essentially a right winger who can dribble past players in the twinkling of an eye.

Joaquin is a graduate of the highly rated youth academy of the Andalusian club Real Betis and played for their first team from 2000 to 2006, featuring in180 matches in Liga for Betis and scoring 29 goals. He was also one of the most assists providers in La Liga during his time with Betis and was at times linked with a move to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.

But Valencia scooped him out of the Ruiz de Lopra in the summer of 2006 but Joaquin has failed to recover his old Real Betis touch, his showing his high class only in flashes at the Mestalla. He was signed by Valencia for a whooping 25 million euro but failed to prove his worth until the final years of his time at the Mestalla.

In 2011 Joaquin joined Malaga from Valencia and has since become an important squad member.

Joaquin is also a Spanish national player and had played for his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 2004 European Championships and the 2006 World Cup.