For more than 20 years combined, Joaquín Sánchez has been the most recognized image of Real Betis Balompié worldwide. A relentless striker in front of goal and a true character off the pitch, making everyone laugh and giving joy to all those who needed it. One of the most prominent figures in Spanish sport, who this Wednesday afternoon received news that was difficult to assimilate.
Betis has reported through its social networks the death of Joaquín’s father, Aurelio Sánchez, at the age of 78. The deceased had been admitted to the El Puerto de Santa María Hospital for several days for a condition that has not been reported to the media. Aurelio, a lifelong green and white fan, was the first representative of his son and a very important person throughout his celebrated sporting career.
“Real Betis Balompié expresses its deepest regret for the death of Don Aurelio Sánchez, father of our legend Joaquín Sánchez. Rest in peace,” read the statement published by the club. As soon as the news was published, thousands of users have paid their respects in the responses: “My deepest condolences, a huge hug to the entire Sánchez family, to their family and friends and especially to our captain, rest in peace” .
“A lot of strength Joako! From the other side of Seville, from Nervión, a Sevillista accompanies you in his feelings, to you, to your family and to all the Beticos, may he rest in peace, a very strong hug. Joako Strength. There are no colors in this, cheer up friend Joako” or “He saw his son lift a title again with the thirteen stripes shirt and later, a historic and unparalleled farewell to a legend like Joaquín Sánchez. Rest in peace Don Aurelio” were other messages that arrived.
Aurelio represented Joaquín from his professional beginnings at Betis, when he debuted with the Sevillian team’s reserve team in 1999. One of the highlights of both of them was the following year, in 2000, when Joaquín joined the Verdiblanco first team and achieved promotion. to First Division. At that time, the influence of his uncle Quino was also transcendental in the young forward’s career, since he helped him financially so that he could train in the lower categories.
Despite not having been much on television, Aurelio also appeared on rare occasions in front of the cameras to talk about his son. One of the most intimate was in 2023, when he participated in Joaquín’s documentary series titled La penúltima y me voy, produced by Atresmedia. There, the patriarch of the Sánchez family admitted that his brother Ricardo was a better player, in addition to commenting that he did not become a professional because he “had more nights than Batman.”
