Betis ace Joaquin plays down new Real Madrid talk

Real Betis winger Joaquin insists his future isn't tied to what Luis Figo does at Real Madrid come the end of the season.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez regards Joaquin as Figo's natural successor and is sure to try for the Spanish international when Figo does eventually leave.

This week's revelation that Figo may quit at the end of the season has brought the spotlight back on Joaquin, but he said last night: "The truth is that if he does not renew their, things will have to also change there."

"But only their directors and the president know what they'll do.

"The truth is that I hope that, if he leaves Madrid, he does not leave football, because for me he is an idol. "

"My future does not have anything to do with this, because with this subject I am left on the margins."