In a recent interview, AC Milan striker and veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic emphasized that he ain’t calling it quits before a stronger player emerges on the scene.We’re not sure if he’s stronger, but Joaquin Sanchez of Real Betis was born three months before Ibra in 1981.Me to retire? Sure, once you show me a stronger playerAnd, unlike the Swede, who’ll be sidelined due to injury for couple more months, Joaquin is making statements on each and every appearance in both LaLiga and Europa League.In the latter, he’s making history. Last night, he netted against Ludogorets in a 3-2 win, becoming the oldest-ever player to score in UEFA Europa League. Joaquin Sanchez, breaks the #UEL oldest goal scorer record with his thunderous strike for Betis vs Ludogorets at the age of 41 yrs & 56 days.Historical. pic.twitter.com/s14v7ajIdD— Faysel Kedir :El Flaco (@IAmFaysel) September 16, 2022 At 41 years and 56 days, Joaquin is now officially the oldest player in the competition to find the back of the net. It is not the first record that Joaquin has been able to toast from this competition. Back in February, he was crowned the oldest player to ever assist a goal in the Europa League – then 40 years and 211 days old. FRESH 🚨✂️🤙🏻@joaquinarte ⚽️🇪🇸#joaquin #betis #laliga #realbetis #joaquinsanchez #triana #sevilla #tijerasdetriana pic.twitter.com/dATClzWXrw— VíctorRomero✂ (@tijerasdetriana) May 9, 2022 Joaquin graduated from Betis’ famed youth academy in 1999, and he remained part of the furniture with Betis until 2006, when he departed for Valencia. Spells at Malaga and Fiorentina followed before he returned to Betis in 2015 – and he has continued to deliver in big moments for them.
