Joselu: The Unlikely Hero Who Saved Real Madrid’s Champions League Dream
In a stunning turn of events, Real Madrid found their hero in an unlikely source – Joselu. The 34-year-old forward, who had underwhelming stints with Stoke City and Newcastle United, came off the bench in the 81st minute to rescue his team from the brink of a Champions League exit. Real Madrid were trailing Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final, but Joselu’s brace secured a remarkable 4-3 aggregate victory.
Joselu’s heroics began in the 88th minute when he capitalized on a rare mistake from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to level the score. Then, in stoppage time, he displayed exceptional skill to volley home Antonio Rudiger’s pass and send Real Madrid to the final at Wembley on June 1st, where they will face Borussia Dortmund.
The journey to this pivotal moment for Joselu has been nothing short of remarkable. After losing Karim Benzema, their second highest goalscorer of all time, to Al-Ittihad last summer, Real Madrid signed Joselu on loan from Espanyol. He had an impressive season with Espanyol, scoring 17 goals in 2022-23. Since joining Real Madrid, he has already found the back of the net 17 times from 46 appearances, with 30 of those appearances coming as a substitute.
Joselu’s transformation from a struggling player in England to a key figure for Real Madrid has surprised many. During his time at Stoke City and Newcastle United, he struggled to make an impact, scoring only four goals in 27 games for Stoke and seven goals in 52 matches for Newcastle over two seasons. However, since returning to Spain, he has consistently reached double figures in every campaign – three years at Alaves, one at Espanyol, and now at Real Madrid.
His performance in the Champions League semi-final has earned him high praise from his teammates and pundits. England midfielder Jude Bellingham commended Joselu’s contributions, calling him an “amazing member of the squad” and acknowledging that this was his night. Former England winger Steve McManaman, a two-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, expressed his surprise at Joselu’s heroics but emphasized the significance of his goals. Ex-England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, a Champions League winner himself, lauded Joselu’s instincts and highlighted how his goal encapsulated the fighting spirit of this Real Madrid team.
Joselu’s journey from disappointment to hero is a testament to his resilience and determination. His remarkable performance in the Champions League semi-final showcases the unpredictability and magic of football. As the final at Wembley approaches, all eyes will be on Joselu to see if he can continue his incredible run and help Real Madrid lift the trophy once again.