In the annals of football history, stories of redemption and resurrection are not uncommon. But few tales rival the remarkable transformation of Joselu Mato, a journeyman striker who has gone from the depths of despair to reaching the summit of success. A feat that seemed improbable only a few seasons ago as he struggled to showcase his goal-scoring skills.
It’s remarkable how quickly a player’s perception in football can change. In 2022, Joselu Mato was just another Real Madrid fan cheering in the stands of the Stade de France as the team won its record-extending 14th Champions League title.
Now he’ll be taking part in one after leading Real Madrid to the Champions League final with two goals in three minutes. While his career has taken him to various places, his journey began in Real Madrid‘s youth academy.
Real Madrid Castilla
Joselu played two seasons with Real Madrid’s reserve squad, known as Real Madrid Castilla, and emerged as the team’s top goalscorer during that period. His standout season came in 2011-2012, where he became an essential offensive unit, scoring 26 goals (including 7 in the promotion playoffs) and becoming the league’s top scorer. His goals helped Real Madrid Castilla become champions and gain promotion to the Second Division for the first time since 2005.
His performances in the reserve team caught the attention of José Mourinho, who granted him his first-team debut. Although he only played twice, he left a lasting impact by scoring in both games.
- In his La Liga debut against Almería, he came on as a substitute for Karim Benzema and promptly found the net from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross, contributing to an 8-1 victory.
- His second official appearance came in a Copa del Rey match against Ponferradina, where he replaced Benzema and scored almost instantly in a 5-1 win.
Joselu was also a part of Real Madrid’s 2011-2012 preseason tour, adding another goal to his memorable moments. Despite these promising performances, Joselu left the club in 2012, seeking further opportunities to establish himself and develop professionally.
Struggles and Instability
Post-Real Madrid, Joselu’s journey took unexpected turns. He became known as a journeyman player, moving between clubs each season.
From 2012 to 2019, he played for six clubs across three different leagues (Bundesliga, Premier League, and La Liga). He unfortunately never achieved a 10+ league goalscoring campaign and struggled to secure a consistent starting role.
While some recognized his moments of brilliance, others criticized his inability to perform consistently. Interestingly, one of his most iconic moments during this period occurred while on loan at Deportivo La Coruña in the 2016–2017 season.
He scored a brace against Real Madrid, momentarily putting Deportivo La Coruña ahead (eventually losing the match 3-2).
Resurgence and Redemption
While he faced a lot of struggles in his career, Joselu’s unwavering belief in himself kept him determined as he searched for his next opportunity. In 2019, he finally got the opportunity he was looking for when he signed for Alavés, who were in desperate need of goal-scorers.
Joselu would find his goal-scoring touch again, scoring 36 goals in 110 appearances. Although his goals couldn’t prevent Alavés from being relegated after the 2021/2022 season, his newfound reputation remained intact.
His subsequent move to RCD Espanyol proved pivotal as he scored 16 league goals and finished as La Liga’s third-highest scorer. His performances did not go unnoticed, culminating in a call-up to the Spanish national team. Since making his national team debut, he has made a significant impact by scoring five goals.
One of those crucial goals came in the UEFA Nations League semifinal, where he scored the game-winning goal against Italy, which helped the Spanish national team advance to the final.
Despite his goal contributions, Joselu found himself on the move again after RCD Espanyol’s relegation to the Second Division. However, his next club would be something that not even his closest family members could have imagined.
Real Madrid: A Fairytale Comeback
In a surprising twist, Joselu returned to Real Madrid – the club that once seemed out of reach – on loan for the 2023/2024 season. While the squad needed another reliable striker, Joselu’s signing was not what fans had expected, especially after Karim Benzema left the club the previous season.
Initially, the club faced heavy criticism for not bringing in a quality striker to replace Benzema, particularly as Joselu had started the season with low confidence. His notorious misses led to repeated mockery, particularly due to his connection as Dani Carvajal’s brother-in-law.
However, Joselu has since become an integral part of the team, delivering vital goals during the season. None were as significant as the two goals he scored against Bayern Munich in the semifinals, propelling Real Madrid to the Champions League final.
Conclusion
Whatever you might think of Joselu as a player, his story resonates far beyond the football field. It teaches us that setbacks can be transformed into success through determination and self-belief.
Regardless of whether he stays at Real Madrid or not, Joselu has become an inspirational figure. His journey inspires us all to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges we face. Because sometimes, the greatest victories arise from the toughest moments.
Javier Martinez is a seasoned veteran of football coverage and an expert on Spanish football. He has been covering world football for more than seven years with bylines at outlets such as The 18 and The Real Champs.