Fiorentina's Joaquin ‘could become bullfighter’

The former Valencia, Malaga and Spain star began his career at Real Betis and admitted he had set his sights on hanging up his boots at his boyhood club, before possibly switching from the football pitch to the bullring.

“Betis are my life. It’s my intention to return one day because they’re the team of my heart and it’s exciting to play there,” the 33-year-old told Mediaset.

“I could become a bullfighter [after retiring]. I wanted to devote myself to it before becoming a footballer, but my mother was worried so I didn’t.

“I spent five years at Valencia. The beginning [of my stay there] wasn’t easy because I arrived as a major player and it wasn’t easy to satisfy the fans.

“I didn’t play much in my first year, but my relationship with Quique Sanchez Flores improved and I eventually had three fantastic years [there].

“At Malaga, we were like a family and everything was great. The team’s Coach [Manuel] Pellegrini did a great job but everything changed overnight.

“I only needed 15 minutes of conversation to join Fiorentina. I live in the centre and it’s like a living in a big museum. The only problem is that they eat very early [in Italy]...”