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From cold nights in Stoke to having the Bernabeu sing his name, Joselu Mato's story seems almost too good to be true
From daydreaming in the stands two years ago to lighting up the Bernabeu on bright Champions League nights, Joselu Mato's journey is a fairytale fit for the big screen.
Once deemed not good enough for Stoke City, this ex-Newcastle, Alaves, and Espanyol star will now forever be remembered as the unlikely hero that sent Real Madrid from the brink of elimination to the final of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final.
Given Joselu’s slow start to his football career and his low profile before joining Real Madrid, little is known about the Stuttgart-born striker who recently became a Los Blancos hero. For his new fans who want to know more about him, here are five interesting facts about Joselu Mato to get you started.
Real Madrid Academy Graduate
Joselu's journey to becoming a hero for Real Madrid actually began in the club's academy. After joining Los Blancos’s La Fabrica from Celta Vigo aged 19, Joselu starred for Real Madrid B in the lower ranks of Spanish football before making his debut in 2011. In his second season with the B team, Joselu managed an incredible 26 goals in 19 matches and was touted as one of the
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In his first game for the senior team, Joselu scored a debut goal after receiving an assist from club legend Cristiano Ronaldo during an 8-1 win over Almeria.
Despite his bright start, Joselu struggled to make the cut at Real Madrid, thanks to the galaxy of stars at the time and was sold to Hoffenheim in 2012.
Relegated Twice with Alaves and Espanyol
Joselu's career has seen its share of ups and downs, including back-to-back relegations with Alaves and Espanyol before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.
After being deemed surplus to requirements by Newcastle in 2019, Joselu joined Alaves in LaLiga, but despite scoring 14 goals in his final season with the club, Alaves were relegated to the second division after finishing last on the table.
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The Spanish striker then moved to Espanyol, but suffered a similar fate, as the Catalan club was relegated to the second division despite Joselu finishing as the third-highest goalscorer in LaLIga that season with 16 goals.
Favourite Player is Jonathan Walters
Joselu has never shied away from his admiration for former Stoke City teammate Jonathan Walters after the pair spent a season together at the former Premier League club.
Joselu was even rumoured to have said Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo was only a “hero”, while Walters was “superman.”
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Although he claims not to recall this statement, he has still been vocal about his admiration for Walters, saying, “I don’t remember saying that but it is true that I loved Jonny Walters. He fought, he was committed, physically he was a beast, he scored over a hundred goals.
During Joselu’s single season in Stoke, Walters was the club’s second-top scorer with eight goals in all competitions, while the current Real Madrid star scored just four times. Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie was also part of that squad, but was already reaching the end of his own Stoke City career with few appearances.
Joselu’s record-breaking Spain debut
After his slow start, Joselu’s career has now become a magnet for record-breaking performances.
Joselu made history when he earned his first senior cap for the Spanish national team at the age of 33, becoming the oldest player to make their debut for La Roja.
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His debut, which came in March 2023 against Norway in the UEFA European Championships, gave him the opportunity to break yet another record as he came off the bench to score a brace, becoming the oldest player to score on their debut for Spain.
Joselu’s career with Spain has also continued in impressive fashion with the striker also scoring a late winner for La Roja in the 2023 UEFA Nations League semifinal against Italy before scoring in the penalty shootout against Croatia in the final as Spain were crowned champions.
Real Madrid Hero
Despite Joselu’s heroics with Spain, the crowning moment of his career has definitely come during Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final clash against Bayern Munich.
After starting the match on the bench, where he has mostly been for Real Madrid this season, Joselu made a sensational cameo while Real Madrid were behind at the Bernabeu, scoring two crucial goals in the final minutes of the match, to lift Real Madrid to victory and securing their place in the Champions League final, bringing the story of his career full circle.
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From slumming it out at the Real Madrid B team and being deemed not good enough at clubs like Stoke City, Newcastle, and Hoffenheim, the Spanish striker is now a Los Blancos hero, and could become a European Champions with the club that he supported growing up.
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