After an illustrious 6.5-year tenure with Betis, Andres Guadrado bids farewell to the Andalusian club, embarking on a new chapter with Mexico’s Club Leon. The Mexican midfielder, and the inaugural captain of the “verdiblancos” post-Joaquin era, announces his departure despite having a contract until the summer of 2024. Guadrado’s return to the Mexican league, after 17 years, is fueled by an enticing financial offer from Club Leon, where he is poised to contribute even post-retirement in a significant role within the team.
The 37-year-old maestro has been a fixture at “Benito Villamarin” since the summer of 2017, arriving from Eindhoven. Throughout his tenure, Guadrado made 218 appearances, contributing with 5 goals and 17 assists. Remarkably, he stands as the foreign player with the most appearances in Betis history, a legacy embellished by the triumph in the Copa del Rey in 2022.
Betis bid a poignant farewell to Guadrado in a heartwarming ceremony on Friday (19/1), affording the Mexican star the opportunity to express his gratitude to the team and the passionate “verdiblancos” supporters. Emotionally, Guadrado reflected, “Yesterday I tried to write some words and they didn’t come out. I have this mixed feeling and said that I will always be spontaneous, I will try to leave in the same way. Thanks to my teammates because they made me feel like a team member from day one. I brought my Mexican flag wherever I went.”
Coach Manuel Pellegrini also paid tribute to Guadrado, emphasizing the importance of leadership in success. Pellegrini expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “When you succeed it’s because there are leaders. Since I arrived here, I have been lucky to have captains like Joaquin and Andres. I am happy for him and thank him for our cooperation. I hope he will fight for as long as he wants.”
As Guadrado departs for his homeland, the Betis faithful celebrate his contributions, and Club Leon eagerly anticipates the experience and leadership he brings to their squad. The legacy of this esteemed midfielder continues, not only in the records of Betis but also in the promising future he envisions with Club Leon.
