Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images
Joselu may not have spent a long time during his second stint at Real Madrid, but his quick adaptation to the club, heroics and match-winning contributions make him one of the club’s greatest-ever short-term signings.
The Spaniard, after all, single-handedly pioneered Real Madrid’s comeback over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Had it not been for his impactful cameo, the fifteenth UCL title may not have come home last year.
The former Real Madrid star began his detailed interview by commenting on his decision to leave the club last summer and whether or not he regretted his decision.
“I have had the greatest of luck, which is to have been able to be there, simply the first day putting on that shirt and stepping on that field has been the best day of my life. Having the opportunity to wear that shirt at the Bernabéu,” he began, reminiscing his Real Madrid days.
“It’s not that I regret it, but I miss it and can’t stop thinking about those beautiful moments I have lived there,” the veteran striker added.
When asked what he missed the most about life with Los Blancos, he said,
“Feel at home. From the first day, I have been treated as one more. Feeling of being in the best club in the world the coach, your world-class teammates. Putting on your shirt and playing in that stadium.”
Joselu also explained how he experienced heartbreak when Dani Carvajal fell injured against Villarreal and how he empathised with his former teammate to no end.
“If I’m honest with you, it was one of the worst moments I’ve had in my career. I would have changed for him because I know what Madrid means to Dani, being there, getting titles, putting on the captain’s armband many times,” the striker said.
“I’ve been very sorry thinking about how he felt. He is part of my family, as if he were my brother, I was sleepless that night. Everyone knows him and is looking forward to the worst happening and recovering to return,” he added.
Elaborating on what made Carvajal irreplaceable and one of the best in the business, the striker said,
“Dani is a reference for everyone. On the field of play he shows that healthy aggressiveness that players need to compete, that desire to win, to never give up, fight until the 95th minute.”
“He is one of the leaders of the national team and Real Madrid, with his commitment, the day to day so good that he has, the conversations that are held with him always willing to help everyone,” he elaborated.
Joselu was then asked what was happening to Real Madrid this season and why the team was struggling despite upgrading their squad in the summer.
“Little by little, I think they have lost important players and have to create more prominence with some players in some positions so that we can see the team it is again.”
“Real Madrid is going to win their games, always when they lose a game there is a crisis and the problem is that last year was incredible, without any problem,” he added.
“It is true that this one has had ups and downs in some game but Madrid is always Madrid, it is going to rearm itself because it has world-class players,” Joselu concluded.
Commenting on the departure of Toni Kroos and its impact on the field, Joselu said: “Kroos is a player who cannot be replaced, he has been a fundamental piece the last ten years at Real Madrid and there is no player like him in the world.
“He is at the level of Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Modric, one of the best midfielders in history.”
Kylian Mbappe’s arrival was one of the reasons Josleu opted to leave Real Madrid given the competition for the starting position. Mbappe’s start to life in Spain, however, has not been half as explosive as one expected.
“Well, he has six or seven goals, in the end he is playing in a position that in PSG started more on the left. He is playing at Real Madrid which is not easy, the Bernabeu squeezes a lot, the demand to play in the best club in the world,” Joselu said when asked about Mbappe’s start to the season.
“You are obliged to score goals, to play well, to win titles and people don’t want anything other than that. But let’s see the best Mbappe. We know the quality he has, he will give many successes for sure,” he added.
When quizzed on whether Mbappe can hit the levels Cristiano Ronaldo hit at Real Madrid, the striker had his stance clear.
“Cristiano has been the ‘GOAT’ of Real Madrid, the top scorer in the history of the club. Mbappe’s goal will be to make similar numbers but Cristiano is the best striker who has passed through Real Madrid.”
Joselu even jumped into the defence of Carlo Ancelotti who has come under pressure this season for the team’s shaky start to the season.
“Right now doubting Ancelotti would be a mistake, I think he knows that there will be times of the season where the situations are not good.”
“He is the best coach in the world at the moment and he is going to get the best performance from all the players. I’m sure he’s going to get more titles,” he added.
Finally, the ex-Real Madrid star was asked about who deserved the Ballon d’Or to which he made a strong case for his former teammate Dani Carvajal.
“I would give it to Carvajal. We are talking about a player who played it all last year, who has achieved the same club titles as Vini.”
“Dani I think he has finished the season being the best player of the Champions League final and winning a European Cup in which he was very important,” he added.
Explaining what made Vinicius the practical favourite over Carvajal, he cited the change in position saying,
“The merit in the end is not given to a defender because he is more of a protagonist who scores goals or assists but we have seen a Dani scorer, who has scored and has given assists being important, making incredible games,” the Spanish ace said.
“He is a serious candidate to be able to take him away because it’s been a long time since we saw a player with those conditions and the titles achieved last year playing in defense would be fair if he took the Ballon d’Or,” concluded Joselu.
