On Wednesday, May 7, 2024, Real Madrid pulled off a remarkable comeback against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final second leg, securing a spot in the final with two late goals from unlikely hero Joselu.
Introduced in the 81st minute with Madrid trailing 1-0, Joselu wasted no time in making his mark on the game. In just 10 minutes, he scored a quickfire brace, completely turning the tie on its head and propelling Madrid to a 2-1 victory, securing a 4-3 aggregate win.
As the spotlight shines on Joselu’s heroics, here are three key insights into the journey of this unexpected goal-scoring sensation:
- Suffered Back-to-Back Relegations: Before returning to Real Madrid on loan in July 2023, Joselu had experienced a rollercoaster journey through various clubs, including stints at Real Madrid B, Newcastle, Hannover, and Stoke City. Notably, his most recent teams, Alaves and Espanyol, suffered relegation from La Liga in consecutive seasons prior to his loan move to Madrid.
- Late Florishing: Despite representing Spain at youth levels from U19 to U21, Joselu’s international breakthrough came later in his career. He earned his first senior cap for Spain in March 2023 at the age of 32 years, 11 months, and 26 days. Since then, he has made significant contributions to the national team, scoring five goals in 10 appearances, including a memorable debut brace against Norway.
- He has German Roots: Despite donning the colors of the Spanish national team, Joselu’s origins trace back to Germany. Born in Stuttgart, West Germany, in 1990, Joselu hails from a region with a rich footballing tradition and a historical rivalry with Bayern Munich.
In conclusion. Joselu has gone from from journeyman status to a Champions League hero whose goals have put Real Madrid on the verge of another UEFA Champions League title win, with the Spainish giants scheduled to face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1.
While Joselu may not start that game, his name will definitely ring bells at any point it emerges at the home of English football – Wembley.
READ MORE: Real Madrid sink Bayern Munich to reach Champions League final
