On the eve of the upcoming UEFA Europa League semi-final at 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on July 10, Spain striker Joselu gave an in-depth interview to The Athletic. In this interview, he opens up about the big decisions in his career, his deep love for his teammates and his expectations for the upcoming showdown with France.
When asked which was the tougher decision, his time at Stoke City or the decision to leave Real Madrid, Joselu smiled and replied, "Leaving Real Madrid, of course. Although I lived closer to Manchester when I was at Stoke and those days were full of great memories, leaving a top club like Real Madrid was definitely a major challenge for my career." He admits that he never expected to shine on a stage like Real Madrid, and scoring 17 goals in a season and helping the team win La Liga and the Champions League was both unexpected and precious to him.
Talking about his highlights at Real Madrid, Joselu specifically mentioned the Champions League semi-final against Bayern. Towards the end of the game, Ancelotti chose to believe in him and sent him on to the pitch. Keeping the coach's instructions in mind, he stayed in the box looking for an opportunity and ended up scoring the crucial goal for his team, completely changing the course of the game. "From that day on, everything changed." He said emotionally.
The killer moment in the Europa League quarter-final was also unforgettable for him. He revealed that he and Olmo had discussed the attacking strategy in detail before Merino's header. Their tacit understanding ultimately led to this classic moment and greatly boosted the morale of the whole team. Joselu said that manager Enrique has always emphasized the importance of the team, and the Spanish team has really done that, everyone contributed to the team's victory.
On the decision to leave Real Madrid, Joselu said it was a well thought out choice made with his family. He thanked his teammates such as Carvajal for their understanding and support, and confessed that Real Madrid has a bright future and many talented young players. He believes he is leaving to make room for more youngsters and to open a new chapter in his career.
Joselu expressed high regard for his upcoming semi-final opponents, France. He particularly mentioned the threat of Mbappe, saying that the French striker, despite his recent ups and downs, can change the situation in the game at any time. He also emphasized the overall strength and team spirit of the Spanish team, saying that the team is fully prepared and will go all out to face France.
At the end of the interview, Joselu also talked about his role and responsibility in the team. He stated that as a veteran, he has a responsibility to set an example for the younger players and protect them from unnecessary injuries. In the friendly match against Brazil in March, he didn't hesitate to stand up for Yamal, who was roughly fouled, showing his deep friendship and commitment to his teammates.
As the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League approach, Joselu and the Spanish team are gearing up for the showdown of honors and dreams. Whatever the outcome, his career will be enriched by the experience.
