Real Betis

The name Real Betis derives from Baetica, the Roman province through which the river once called Betis — today the Guadalquivir — flows through Seville. The club was founded on 12 September 1907 as Sevilla Balompié, established by students at a school preparing young men for military service. In 1909 a split occurred at rival Sevilla FC, with a breakaway group forming its own club, Betis Football Club. The two associations merged in 1914 to create Real Betis Balompié, and six years later, in 1920, the team adopted its now-famous green-and-white colours, giving rise to the nickname "Los Verdiblancos".

The club's history has been one of highs and lows, well captured by the supporters' famous chant "¡Viva el Betis manque pierda!" ("Long live Betis, even if they lose!"). Betis won its only Spanish league title in 1935, beating Racing Santander 5–0 in the decisive match, but the success proved short-lived — the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War and financial troubles saw the club relegated just a few years later. Since then, the Seville side has won the Copa del Rey three times: in 1977, 2005 and 2022, the last of those secured on penalties against Valencia.

In the very season of that first domestic cup triumph, 1977–78, Betis also made a mark in Europe, eliminating AC Milan in the first round of the Cup Winners' Cup (3–2 on aggregate) before losing in the quarter-finals to Dynamo Moscow. Nearly half a century later, in the 2024–25 season, the club wrote another significant European chapter, coming through the full qualifying path to reach the Conference League final, where they fell to Chelsea, still awaiting their first continental trophy.

Betis have played their home matches for decades at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, named after a former club president, where the atmosphere generated by thousands of supporters ranks among the most intense in Spain. Due to a major redevelopment of the stadium between 2025 and 2027, the team has temporarily relocated to the Estadio de La Cartuja — another chapter in the story of a club for which the bond with the city and the loyalty of its fans have always mattered more than the number of trophies won.

Joaquín – a Real Betis legend

Joaquín Sánchez is one of the greatest legends of Real Betis Balompié and a player who became a symbol of the entire club. A youth product of Betis, he made his first-team debut in 2000 and quickly dazzled fans with his flashy playing style, dribbling skills, and extraordinary personality. In 2005, he helped the team win the Copa del Rey, and a year later, he played in the Champions League with Betis. After leaving Seville, he played for Valencia, Málaga, and Fiorentina, among others, before returning in 2015 to the club he had been connected with since his youth.

Joaquín's return marked the beginning of a second, unique chapter in his story. The experienced winger became the captain and one of Betis's most important symbols, and his devotion to the green-and-white colors made him a favorite across generations of fans. In 2022, at the age of 40, he won the Copa del Rey with the club once again, 17 years after his first triumph. In total, he played 528 official matches for Betis, becoming the club's record appearance holder.

Joaquín retired in 2023, but his significance to Betis goes far beyond statistics. For years, he was the embodiment of beticismo – a blend of talent, Sevillian pride, humor, and unconditional love for the club. For Betis fans, he is not merely a former player and record holder. He is part of the club's identity and one of those footballers whose name will forever be tied to the green-and-white colors.