SUMMARY
- Joselu scored two goals against Bayern Munich to secure a UCL final spot for Real Madrid.
- Let's find out the Spaniard's incredible story before getting into Real's first team.
Real Madrid reached their 18th UEFA Champions League final following a 4-3 semi-final aggregate victory over Bayern Munich. Los Blancos have their loanee striker, Joselu to thank for their incredible achievement. The Spaniard’s two late goals ensured that Madrid were able to turn their deficit around and complete a historic comeback.
There were several question marks and debates around Joselu’s transfer to Real Madrid earlier in the season. However, the 34-year-old has worked hard to prove his worth at the Santiago Bernabeu and has now become a fan-favorite. Joselu has accepted the role as a backup forward in the squad and come up with key goals time after time this season.
Two years ago, Joselu was in Paris to support Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Today, he scored 2 goals in the dying minutes to send Real Madrid to a Champions League final.
WHAT A STORY. pic.twitter.com/OqdVj6Na0J
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 8, 2024
Incredibly, Joselu attended Real Madrid’s previous Champions League final in 2022 against Liverpool supporting his boyhood club. He is now living his childhood dream of being able to play consistently for Madrid and his two late goals inspired his side to yet another European final. The striker’s rise during the campaign has been one of the major talking points for Real Madrid fans.
Joselu’s remarkable revival over the years
Joselu was a part of Real Madrid’s youth team, the Castilla from 2010-2012. During the period he made sporadic appearances for the first team as well but was unable to secure a starting spot over the star-studded attacking depth. Consequently, he opted for a move-out and joined Hoffenheim in 2012.
The striker has enjoyed a career playing for several clubs in different parts of Europe. Eintracht Frankfurt, Hannover 96, Stoke City, Deportivo La Coruna, Newcastle United, Deportivo Alaves and Espanyol have all enjoyed the services of Joselu over the last decade and more. Unfortunately, he was not able to establish himself as a regular starting striker at most of these clubs.
🚨 Understand Real Madrid have finally completed Joselu deal — been told it’s signed, here we go!
Exclusive details of the agreement:
◉ Loan until June 2024;
◉ €500k loan fee to Espanyol;
◉ Buy option clause NOT mandatory for €1.5m;
◉ Joselu will reduce his salary. pic.twitter.com/mgt7OKZu6k
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 17, 2023
Espanyol, however, trusted the prowess of Joselu and were able to grant him the number one target man spot in the team during the 2022-23 season. He repaid the trust with 17 goals during the campaign and as a result, was able to earn a move back to Real Madrid where it all began for Joselu Mato.
A look at Joselu’s season so far
Real Madrid had a massive headache to deal with following Karim Benzema’s departure in the summer of 2023. There were several rumors linking the club with top soccer stars in Europe including Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane but in the end, Florentino Perez took a brave call to go ahead with a loan deal for Joselu from Espanyol. The decision did not go well with the majority of the fanbase at the time and left Joselu with a massive task to prove himself.
⚪️🇪🇸 Joselu has scored 17 goals this season and this is an historical brace…
…and he joined on loan (!) with €1.5m buy option clause. 🎩 pic.twitter.com/AyesJqvTx5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2024
Due to constant injuries to Madrid’s frontline, Joselu has even had to take up the starting role in attack several times this season. He has done a tremendous job so far with 17 goals and two assists in his tally. The 34-year-old was thrown late into the action by Carlo Ancelotti against Bayern Munich in the semi-final and required only three minutes to score a brace to send his side to the Champions League final. “This is better than my dreams. Nights like this, you can’t even dream about.”, Joselu said after the game.
His move to Real Madrid has even assisted Joselu in securing a place with the Spain national team. He was a key member of the squad that defeated Croatia in the 2023 UEFA Nations League final. Since then, Luis de la Fuente has called up Joselu regularly and looks set to do the same for the upcoming European Championship in Germany in the summer.