{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 1990)}} {{For|other footballers named Joselu|Joselu (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{family name hatnote|Mato|Sanmartín|lang=Spanish}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Joselu | image = Joselu, 16 September 2024.jpg | caption = Joselu with Al Gharafa in 2024 | full_name = José Luis Mato Sanmartín<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|3|27|df=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |title=Joselu – Spain – European Qualifiers |url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/teams/players/250005193--joselu/ |access-date=12 June 2023 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref> | birth_place = Stuttgart, West Germany | height = 1.92 m<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/football/squad/joselu-mato |title=Joselu Mato |publisher=Real Madrid CF |access-date=5 September 2023}}</ref> | position = Striker | currentclub = Al-Gharafa | clubnumber = 9 | youthyears1 = 2000–2002 | youthclubs1 = SD Silleda | youthyears2 = 2002–2008 | youthclubs2 = Celta | years1 = 2008–2009 | clubs1 = Celta B | caps1 = 21 | goals1 = 4 | years2 = 2008–2009 | clubs2 = Celta | caps2 = 2 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2009–2012 | clubs3 = Real Madrid B | caps3 = 67 | goals3 = 33 | years4 = 2009–2010 | clubs4 = → Celta (loan) | caps4 = 24 | goals4 = 4 | years5 = 2011–2012 | clubs5 = Real Madrid | caps5 = 1 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2012–2014 | clubs6 = TSG Hoffenheim | caps6 = 25 | goals6 = 5 | years7 = 2013–2014 | clubs7 = → Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) | caps7 = 24 | goals7 = 9 | years8 = 2014–2015 | clubs8 = Hannover 96 | caps8 = 30 | goals8 = 8 | years9 = 2015–2017 | clubs9 = Stoke City | caps9 = 22 | goals9 = 4 | years10= 2016–2017 | clubs10= → Deportivo La Coruña (loan) | caps10= 20 | goals10= 5 | years11= 2017–2019 | clubs11= Newcastle United | caps11= 46 | goals11= 6 | years12= 2019–2022 | clubs12= Alavés | caps12= 110 | goals12= 36 | years13= 2022–2024 | clubs13= Espanyol | caps13= 34 | goals13= 16 | years14= 2023–2024 | clubs14= → Real Madrid (loan) | caps14= 34 | goals14= 10 | years15= 2024– | clubs15= Al-Gharafa | caps15= 33 | goals15= 15 | nationalyears1 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam1 = Spain U19 | nationalcaps1 = 11 | nationalgoals1 = 3 | nationalyears2 = 2009 | nationalteam2 = Spain U20 | nationalcaps2 = 1 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2009–2010 | nationalteam3 = Spain U21 | nationalcaps3 = 4 | nationalgoals3 = 1 | nationalyears4 = 2016 | nationalteam4 = Galicia | nationalcaps4 = 1 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2023–2024 | nationalteam5 = Spain | nationalcaps5 = 17 | nationalgoals5 = 6 | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{MedalCountry|{{fb|ESP}}}} {{Medal|Competition|UEFA European Championship}} {{Medal|W|2024 Germany|Team}} {{Medal|Competition|UEFA Nations League}} {{Medal|W|2023 Netherlands|Team}} | club-update = 17 January 2026 | nationalteam-update = 23:15, 15 October 2024 (UTC) }} '''José Luis Mato Sanmartín''' (born 27 March 1990), known as '''Joselu''', is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Qatar Stars League club Al-Gharafa.
Joselu began his career with Celta Vigo, before being purchased by Real Madrid in the summer of 2009. He was a prolific goalscorer for their B-team, scoring 40 goals in 72 appearances, but was unable to break into the first team, and sold to Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim in August 2012. Following a loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, Joselu joined Hannover 96 in June 2014, and then Premier League side Stoke City a year later for a fee of £5.75 million. In 2017, he moved to Newcastle United for £5 million, where he spent two seasons, before signing for Alavés for an undisclosed fee. Joselu then played for Espanyol, before rejoining Real Madrid on loan for the 2023–24 season, where he won the UEFA Champions League.
Joselu played for Spain at multiple youth levels, and made his debut for the senior national team in 2023. He was a member of the squad that won the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League and the UEFA Euro 2024.
==Early life== Joselu was born in Stuttgart, West Germany, and attended school in the country for four years, until the age of 10, before his family returned to Galicia, Spain.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1330039284613/noticia/Entrevista/Joselu:_%E2%80%9CSomos_el_mejor_equipo_de_la_segunda_vuelta_.htm | title = Joselu: "Somos el mejor equipo de la segunda vuelta" | trans-title = Joselu: "We're the best team of the second round | publisher = Real Madrid C.F. | language = es | date = 1 February 2011 | access-date = 29 September 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121008202926/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1330039284613/noticia/Entrevista/Joselu:_%E2%80%9CSomos_el_mejor_equipo_de_la_segunda_vuelta_.htm | archive-date = 8 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
==Club career== ===Celta=== [[File:Celta de Vigo.jpg|thumb|Joselu (top row, second from left) lined up with the teammates for Celta de Vigo in 2009]] Joselu played his two first professional matches for local Celta Vigo in the second division, late in the 2008–09 season. Since the age of 18, at about the same time he made his debuts with the main squad, he played with the B-team in the third level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Squad of Celta de Vigo 2008–09 Second Division {{!}} BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2008-0911.html |access-date=3 July 2024 |website=www.bdfutbol.com}}</ref>
In late summer 2009, Joselu was purchased by Real Madrid, being immediately loaned to his former team for a further campaign.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Real/Madrid/ficha/cede/Joselu/Celta/Vigo/elpepudep/20090831elpepudep_3/Tes | title = El Real Madrid ficha y cede a Joselu al Celta de Vigo | trans-title = Real Madrid buys from and loans Joselu to Celta de Vigo | work = El País | language = es | date = 31 August 2009 | access-date = 29 September 2012}}</ref> He was relatively used during the division two campaign, but only scored four goals as the team finished in 12th position.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}
===Real Madrid=== [[File:Joselu.png|thumb|Joselu playing for Real Madrid in 2011]]
Joselu was Real Madrid Castilla's top scorer in the 2010–11 season, alongside Álvaro Morata, but the team failed to win promotion in the playoffs. On 21 May 2011, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, coming on as a substitute for Karim Benzema for the last ten minutes of a home fixture against Almería: he scored almost immediately from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross, making it 8–1 to the hosts.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=302157&cc=5739 | title = Ronaldo breaks record in rout | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 21 May 2011 | access-date = 29 September 2012 | archive-date = 24 May 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110524014239/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=302157&cc=5739 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
On 20 December 2011, in his second official appearance for the main squad, Joselu replaced Benzema in the 77th minute of the home match against Ponferradina, for the season's Copa del Rey. He scored the goal to make the match 4–1 two minutes later, in an eventual 5–1 win.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.marca.com/marcador/futbol/2011_12/copa/dieciseisavos/vuelta/rma_pnf/ | title = El Madrid ficha hacia octavos | trans-title = Madrid signs to last-16 | work = Marca | language = es | date = 20 December 2011 | access-date = 29 September 2012}}</ref>
In his second season with Castilla, Joselu became an essential offensive unit for manager Alberto Toril, and responded by netting 26 goals (19 in the regular season and seven in the playoffs) which made him the competition's top scorer, as his team were promoted to division two after five years, as champions. He subsequently attracted the attention of several European clubs.<ref>{{cite web | last1 = s. l. | first1 = Diarioas AS | url = http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/west-ham-viene-joselu-joya/20120617dasdaiftb_9/Tes | title = El West Ham viene a por Joselu, joya del Castilla | trans-title = West Ham comes for Joselu, Castilla's gem | publisher = Diario AS | language = es | date = 17 June 2012 | access-date = 29 September 2012}}</ref>
Joselu said in 2015 that he did not regret his time at Real Madrid despite his limited first-team opportunities, due to his experiences training with its players and manager José Mourinho.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spinks|first1=Martin|title=Stoke City: Joselu has no regrets over Real Madrid failure|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/stoke-city-joselu-regrets-real-madrid-failure/story-26722657-detail/story.html|access-date=23 December 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=20 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624030932/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Joselu-regrets-Real-Madrid-failure/story-26722657-detail/story.html|archive-date=24 June 2015}}</ref>
===TSG Hoffenheim=== On 8 August 2012, Joselu signed a four-year contract with TSG Hoffenheim for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.achtzehn99.de/joselu-joins-tsg-1899-hoffenheim/ |title=Joselu joins TSG 1899 Hoffenheim |publisher=TSG 1899 Hoffenheim |date=8 August 2012 |access-date=29 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812041300/http://www.achtzehn99.de/joselu-joins-tsg-1899-hoffenheim/ |archive-date=12 August 2012 }}</ref> He made his Bundesliga debut on 16 September, playing 30 minutes in a 3–5 away loss against SC Freiburg,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/346383/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739 | title = SC Freiburg 5–3 TSG Hoffenheim | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 16 September 2012 | access-date = 20 May 2013}}</ref> and scored his first goal for his new club ten days later, contributing to a 3–0 success at VfB Stuttgart,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/346365/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739 | title = VfB Stuttgart 0–3 TSG Hoffenheim | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 26 September 2012 | access-date = 20 May 2013}}</ref> and added a brace against SpVgg Greuther Fürth on 19 October 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hoffenheim VS. Greuther Fürth 3 – 3|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/10/19/germany/bundesliga/tsg-1899-hoffenheim-ev/spvgg-greuther-furth/1300840/|website=Soccerway|access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref> He played 25 times for 1899 Hoffenheim, scoring five goals as they finished in 16th position.<ref name="Scout">{{cite web | url=https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/en/news/overview/2014/06/joselu-signs-for-hannover-96/ | title=Joselu signs for Hannover 96 }}</ref>
====Loan to Eintracht Frankfurt==== At the end of his first season with Hoffenheim, Joselu admitted that he struggled to adapt to his new surroundings and was loaned out to Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt for the 2013–14 season.<ref name="Scout"/> He rediscovered his form under Frankfurt manager Armin Veh at the Commerzbank-Arena, scoring 14 goals in 33 appearances as the club finished in 13th position and reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.<ref name="Scout"/>
===Hannover 96=== On 9 June 2014, Joselu joined Hannover 96 on a four-year deal for a €5 million transfer fee.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/top-stories-1314/joselu-transfer.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140612015001/http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/top-stories-1314/joselu-transfer.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 12 June 2014 | title = Hannover 96 verpflichtet Joselu | trans-title = Hannover 96 acquires Joselu | publisher = Hannover 96 | language = de | date = 9 June 2014 | access-date = 9 June 2014 }}</ref> In his only season there he made 32 appearances, scoring 10 goals.<ref name="2014/2015"/>
===Stoke City=== On 16 June 2015, Joselu joined English side Stoke City for a fee of £5.75 million,<ref>{{cite web|title=Potters Land Joselu|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/potters-land-joselu-2495807.aspx|website=Stoke City|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616165435/http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/potters-land-joselu-2495807.aspx|archive-date=16 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes delighted at £5.75m Joselu signing|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Mark-Hughes-delighted-5-75m-Joselu/story-26708732-detail/story.html?|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=16 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618025535/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Mark-Hughes-delighted-5-75m-Joselu/story-26708732-detail/story.html|archive-date=18 June 2015}}</ref> therefore fulfilling a lifelong ambition to play in England's top division.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joselu – 'This Is A Dream'|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/joselu-this-is-a-dream-2495893.aspx|website=Stoke City|access-date=11 July 2015}}</ref> He made his Premier League debut on 15 August away to Tottenham Hotspur, as a 59th-minute substitute for Jonathan Walters; he won a penalty when fouled by Toby Alderweireld, converted by Marko Arnautović as Stoke came from 2–0 down to draw 2–2.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Abraham|first1=Timothy|title=Tottenham 2–2 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33832169|access-date=15 August 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=15 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tottenham 2, Stoke City 2: Jinking Joselu delighted with good first impression|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Tottenham-2-Stoke-City-2-Jinking-Joselu-delighted/story-27617089-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=16 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817141515/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Tottenham-2-Stoke-City-2-Jinking-Joselu-delighted/story-27617089-detail/story.html|archive-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> On 28 December, after coming on in place of compatriot Bojan, Joselu scored his first goal for the Potters in a 4–3 win at Everton.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Reddy|first1=Luke|title=Everton 3–4 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35148469|access-date=28 December 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=28 December 2015}}</ref> He played 27 times for Stoke in 2015–16, scoring four goals as the team finished in ninth position.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stoke 3–1 Norwich|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35239800|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bournemouth 1–3 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35510252|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Watford 1–2 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35792248|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> Towards the end of the campaign, Stoke manager Mark Hughes stated that Joselu had made a slow start to life in English football.<ref>{{cite web|title=Slow burner Joselu back in manager's good books|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Slow-burner-Joselu-manager-s-good/story-28963791-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=25 May 2016}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
====Loan to Deportivo La Coruña==== On 31 August 2016, Joselu returned to Galicia to join Celta's rivals Deportivo La Coruña on a season-long loan deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/2016-17/joselu-joins-deportivo-3285116.aspx|title=Joselu Joins Deportivo|publisher=Stoke City F.C.|date=31 August 2016|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref> He scored his first goals for the team on 10 December, a two-minute brace as a substitute to give them the lead in an eventual 3–2 loss on his return to Real Madrid.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sergio Ramos does it again as Real Madrid grab late win over Deportivo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/10/real-madrid-deportivo-la-coruna-la-liga-match-report|access-date=23 December 2016|work=The Guardian|agency=Associated Press|date=10 December 2016}}</ref> Joselu scored six goals in 24 appearances for Deportivo before his season was ended due to an Achilles injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pepe Mel's problems mount with Joselu out for the season|url=http://en.as.com/en/2017/04/28/football/1493402935_283870.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429042604/http://en.as.com/en/2017/04/28/football/1493402935_283870.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 April 2017|website=AS|date=28 April 2017|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref>
===Newcastle United=== On 16 August 2017, Joselu joined Premier League side Newcastle United on a three-year deal for a fee of £5 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Joselu: Newcastle United sign Stoke's Spanish striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40924212|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref> He made his debut four days later as a 52nd-minute substitute for Dwight Gayle in a 1–0 loss at Huddersfield Town,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chowdhury|first1=Saj|title=Huddersfield Town 1–0 Newcastle United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40914669|access-date=18 December 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=20 August 2017}}</ref> and scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 home win over West Ham United on 26 August.<ref>{{cite news|title=Newcastle United 3–0 West Ham United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40984016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref> Much like his fellow forwards, Joselu's form was inconsistent as Newcastle faltered in the league, but he was still top scorer by January when he scored in a 1–1 draw with Swansea City,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42587970|title=Newcastle United 1–1 Swansea City|work=BBC Sport|first=Michael|last=Emons|date=13 January 2018|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> although he also had his penalty saved by Nick Pope in a 1–1 draw with Burnley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42799047|title=Newcastle United 1–1 Burnley|work=BBC Sport|first=Neil|last=Johnston|date=31 January 2018|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> He ended up finishing the season as third highest top scorer behind Gayle and Ayoze Pérez.
In the 2018–19 season, Joselu was fourth choice behind Pérez and new signings Salomón Rondón and Yoshinori Muto. The two league goals he scored all season both came in August in losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45067372|title=Newcastle United 1–2 Tottenham Hotspur|work=BBC Sport|first=Steve|last=Sutcliffe|date=11 August 2018|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45237326|title=Newcastle United 1–2 Chelsea|work=BBC Sport|first=Caroline|last=Chapman|date=26 August 2018|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> His final goal for the club came in a FA Cup third round replay victory over Blackburn Rovers on 15 January 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46790119|title=Blackburn Rovers 2–4 Newcastle United (AET)|work=BBC Sport|date=15 January 2019|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> but by March, he was out of the squad altogether.
===Alavés=== On 15 July 2019, Joselu returned to La Liga to join Alavés on a three-year contract, for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £2.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deportivoalaves.com/noticia/joselu-reforzara-la-delantera-del-deportivo-alaves|title=Joselu reforzará la delantera del Deportivo Alavés|publisher=Deportivo Alavés|language=es|date=15 July 2019|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-transfers-joselu-alaves-16588246|title=Newcastle United complete deal to sell Joselu to La Liga club – here's how much Magpies will earn from sale|work=Newcastle Chronicle|first=Lee|last=Ryder|date=15 July 2019|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> On his debut on 18 August, he scored the only goal at home to Levante,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lara |first1=Lorenzo |title=Joselu y Pacheco dan la primera victoria al Alavés|trans-title=Joselu and Pacheco give the first victory to Alavés|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/cronica/2019/08/18/5d594f5d268e3e646f8b4575.html |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Marca|location=Spain |date=18 August 2019 |language=es}}</ref> while on 24 November he netted both goals in the last six minutes away to fellow Basque club Eibar.<ref>{{cite news |last1=García de Pedro |first1=Javier |title=Joselu resuelve en cinco minutos|trans-title=Joselu resolves it in five minutes |url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/cronica/2019/11/24/5dda9bd4ca4741e02f8b456f.html |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Marca|location=Spain |date=24 November 2019 |language=es}}</ref> In 2020–21, he scored home and away against Real Madrid, including in a 2–1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu on 28 November for his club's first victory at that venue since May 2000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Skilbeck |first1=John |title=Real Madrid 1–2 Deportivo Alaves: Hazard blow as ramshackle champions come unstuck |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrid-lose-to-deportivo-alaves-hazard-injured-laliga-report/1p12tkbydkkgl1524q2ohuwif9 |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Goal (website) |date=28 November 2020}}</ref>
In Joselu's final season at the Mendizorrotza Stadium before the end of his contract in 2022, he was the league's seventh highest scorer with 14 goals in 37 games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Joselu se despide del Alavés|trans-title=Joselu says goodbye to Alavés |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/laliga/20220523/1001810578/joselu-despide-alaves.html |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Mundo Deportivo |date=23 May 2022 |language=es}}</ref>
===Espanyol=== [[File:Joselu espanyol 2022 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Joselu with Espanyol in 2022]] On 27 June 2022, following Alavés relegation from La Liga, Joselu signed a three-year deal with Espanyol as a free agent.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 June 2022 |title=Joselu joins RCD Espanyol |url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/en/new/joselu-joins-rcd-espanyol/14241 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |publisher=RCD Espanyol}}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 13 August against former club Celta where he scored from a penalty, after being awarded via VAR for a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peinado |first1=Alejandro |title=El VAR y Joselu silencian Balaídos|trans-title=VAR and Joselu silence Balaídos |url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/cronica/2022/08/13/62f7e0d422601da7248b4572.html |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=Marca|location=Spain |date=13 August 2022 |language=es}}</ref> With 16 goals in 34 games for the relegated Catalans, he was La Liga's third highest scorer, behind Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vázquez |first1=Nino |title=Barcelona striker Lewandowski wins Pichichi in first season in LaLiga |url=https://www.sport.es/en/news/laliga/barcelona-striker-lewandowski-wins-pichichi-in-first-season-in-laliga-86673966 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=Sport |date=4 June 2023}}</ref>
====Return to Real Madrid on loan==== On 19 June 2023, Real Madrid announced the return of Joselu on a loan deal until 30 June 2024, with an option to buy at the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Announcement: Joselu |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/06/19/official-announcement-joselu |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=Real Madrid CF }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Joselu is a new Real Madrid player |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/06/19/joselu-is-a-new-real-madrid-player |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=Real Madrid CF }}</ref> On 12 August 2023, he made his first appearance after the return coming on at the 80th minute in a 2–0 win against Athletic Bilbao in the league.<ref>{{cite web|title=Athletic Bilbao 0–2 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham scores on his debut as Real win|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66489759|publisher=BBC|date=12 August 2023|access-date=12 August 2023}}</ref> On 2 September 2023, Joselu scored his first goal of the season against Getafe in a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joselu: "The stadium is impressive and helped spur us on to victory"|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/09/02/joselu-the-stadium-is-impressive-and-helped-spur-us-on-to-victory|access-date=13 September 2023|website=Real Madrid CF}}</ref>
On 20 September 2023, Joselu made his first UEFA Champions League appearance in a group stage match against Union Berlin.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=20 September 2023 |title=Real Madrid–Union Berlin: UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Group stage |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2039183--real-madrid-vs-union-berlin/ |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=UEFA}}</ref> On 29 November, he scored his first Champions League goal, securing a 4–2 win against Napoli.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/real-madrid-secure-top-spot-after-recovering-beat-napoli-4-2-2023-11-29/ |title=Real Madrid secure top spot after recovering to beat Napoli 4–2 |publisher=Reuters |date=29 November 2023 }}</ref> On 12 December, he scored a brace in a 3–2 away win over Union Berlin, in which Real Madrid finished top of their Group C with six wins out of six matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/cronica/2023/12/12/6578d75222601d456a8b45ba.html |title=Real Madrid secure victory over Union Berlin through Joselu and Dani Ceballos following late drama |publisher=Marca |date=12 December 2023 }}</ref> On 14 January 2024, Joselu won his first club career trophy, as he participated in Madrid's 2024 Supercopa de España triumph, scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against Atlético Madrid and coming on as a substitute in the final versus Barcelona.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Real Madrid 5–3 Atlético Madrid: Real win Spanish Super Cup semi-final thriller|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67937493|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=10 January 2023|access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Spanish Super Cup champions!|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/reports/14-01-2024|publisher=Real Madrid CF|date=14 January 2023|access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref> On 8 May, Joselu scored two late and decisive goals for Real Madrid in a 2–1 victory against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals second leg to send them through to the final,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=8 May 2024 |title=Real Madrid find a way to final again as late Joselu double breaks Bayern hearts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/08/real-madrid-bayern-munich-champions-league-match-report |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> which Real Madrid later ended up winning 2–0 against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/028e-1b07e18d875a-ba78e4b9d9fc-1000--real-madrid-win-champions-league-carvajal-and-vinicius-jun/ |title=Real Madrid win Champions League: Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior see off Dortmund |publisher=UEFA |date=1 June 2024 }}</ref> After the season, Madrid picked up the option to sign him permanently for the price of 1.5 million euros.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/en/new/real-madrid-take-up-option-to-buy-joselu/17321|title=Real Madrid take up option to buy Joselu|publisher=rcdespanyol.com|date=27 June 2024 }}</ref>
===Al-Gharafa===
On 28 June 2024, it was announced that Joselu had joined Qatar Stars League side Al Gharafa from Real Madrid on a two-year deal,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comunicado Oficial: Joselu |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/es-ES/noticias/club/comunicados/comunicado-oficial-joselu-28-06-2024 |access-date=29 June 2024|website=Real Madrid CF |language=es}}</ref> exactly one day after the Spanish club signed the player.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Real Madrid take up option to buy Joselu|url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/en/new/real-madrid-take-up-option-to-buy-joselu/17321|date=27 June 2024|access-date=27 June 2024|publisher=RCD Espanyol|archive-date=27 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627135844/https://www.rcdespanyol.com/en/new/real-madrid-take-up-option-to-buy-joselu/17321|url-status=live}}</ref>
Joselu made his debut for Gharafa against Al-Khor on August 9 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spanish star Joselu arrives in Doha to join Al Gharafa {{!}} QSL |url=https://qsl.qa/en/news/spanish-star-joselu-arrives-doha-join-al-gharafa#:~:text=Spanish%20star%20Jose%20Luis%20Joselu,for%20the%202024-2025%20season. |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=qsl.qa}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club against Qatar SC in the 72nd minute.
Joselu was instrumental in Gharafa's success helping them reach a third-place finish in the Qatar Stars League and scoring 15 goals in 30 matches. He also contributed in winning the 2025 Emir Cup. In the final, Joselu scored a spectacular header which doubled his side’s advantage in the 18th minute, leaping to power in a precise header from a loose ball, enabling Al-Gharafa to win over Al-Rayyan.
==International career== Joselu represented Spain at under-19, under-20 and under-21 level, but never received a call-up to the senior squad until he was nearly 33. He was also capped for Galicia in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=George |date=25 March 2023 |title=Joselu aiming to write his name into Spain history books after first call-up |website=ChronicleLive |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joselu-espanyol-spain-newcastle-united-26558818}}</ref>
On 17 March 2023, Joselu received his first call-up to the Spain national team for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Norway and Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2023 |title=OFICIAL {{!}} Lista de convocados para los encuentros clasificatorios frente a Noruega y Escocia |url=https://rfef.es/es/noticias/oficial-lista-de-convocados-para-los-encuentros-clasificatorios-frente-noruega-y-escocia |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=Real Federación Española de Fútbol |language=es}}</ref> He came off the bench against Norway on 25 March, making him the oldest Spain debutant since 2006,<ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2023 |title=Joselu basks in unforgettable Spain debut: 'I still don't believe it!' |website=Yahoo! Sports |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/joselu-basks-unforgettable-spain-debut-232938180.html}}</ref> and scored twice in two minutes to help Spain achieve a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2023 |title=Spain 3–0 Norway |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65076853}}</ref> On 15 June 2023, he scored the winner for Spain in the 88th minute, four minutes after being subbed on, in a 2–1 victory over Italy in the Nations League semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=15 June 2023 |title=Joselu hits late winner to send Spain past Italy and into Nations League final |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/15/spain-italy-nations-league-semi-final-match-report |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
In 2024, he was named to the squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 June 2024 |title=OFFICIAL {{!}} Final Spain squad for the Euro 2024 finals |url=https://rfef.es/en/noticias/final-spain-squad-for-the-euro-2024-finals |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |access-date=7 June 2024 }}</ref> He helped Spain secure a record-breaking fourth European championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |date=2024-07-14 |title=Spain 2-1 England: Late Oyarzabal winner earns La Roja record fourth EURO crown |url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/028f-1b5e5c2b7b67-d5faab9be20b-1000--spain-2-1-england-late-oyarzabal-winner-earns-la-roja-reco/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=UEFA}}</ref>
==Style of play== Joselu plays as a forward and has been described by his former manager Mark Hughes as a "technically adept forward...He's a good technical player, he's got good ability and I like his movement. His link-up play is very good and with the finishing we've done so far in training I've been very pleased. You can see technically he's very adept, getting his body in the right position to take chances".<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes already impressed by Joselu's goal instinct|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Mark-Hughes-impressed-Joselu-s-goal/story-26872794-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=11 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713014627/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Mark-Hughes-impressed-Joselu-s-goal/story-26872794-detail/story.html|archive-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>
==Personal life== Joselu is married to Melanie Cañizares, with whom he has two children. His wife is a twin sister to Daphne, wife of his former Real Madrid teammate, Dani Carvajal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/famosos/2024-05-09/dapnhe-melanie-canizares-joselu-dani-carvajal_3669851/ |title=¿Quién es quién y cómo han cambiado? Las gemelas Daphne y Melanie Cañizares, mujeres de los futbolistas Joselu y Carvajal |publisher=Vanitatis |language=es |date=9 May 2024 }}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 7 November 2025}}<ref>{{soccerway|jose-luis-sanmartin-mato/78568|access-date=8 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="BDF">{{cite web|title=Joselu|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j9301.html|website=BD Futbol|access-date=8 May 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Emir of Qatar Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Celta Vigo B |2008–09<ref name="BDF"/> |Segunda División B |21||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||3 |- |Celta Vigo |2008–09<ref name="BDF"/> |rowspan="2"|Segunda División |2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |rowspan="2"|Celta Vigo (loan) |2009–10<ref name="BDF"/> |24||4||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||4 |- !colspan="2"|Total !26!!4!!4!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!30!!4 |- |rowspan="3"|Real Madrid B |2010–11<ref name="BDF"/> |rowspan="2"|Segunda División B |34||14||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2<ref group=lower-alpha name="Pro">Appearances in Segunda División B play-offs</ref>||0||36||14 |- |2011–12<ref name="BDF"/> |33||19||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4<ref group=lower-alpha name="Pro"/>||7||37||26 |- !colspan="2"|Total !67!!33!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!6!!7!!73!!40 |- |rowspan="3"|Real Madrid |2010–11<ref name="BDF"/> |rowspan="2"|La Liga |1||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||1 |- |2011–12<ref name="BDF"/> |0||0||1||1||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !1!!1!!1!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!2!!2 |- |TSG Hoffenheim |2012–13<ref name="2012/2013">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2012|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref> |Bundesliga |25||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||5 |- |Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) |2013–14<ref name="2013/2014">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2013|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref> |Bundesliga |24||9||2||4||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||1||colspan="2"|—||33||14 |- |Hannover 96 |2014–15<ref name="2014/2015">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2014|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref> |Bundesliga |30||8||2||2||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||32||10 |- |Stoke City |2015–16<ref name="2015/2016">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2015|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref> |Premier League |22||4||2||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||27||4 |- |Deportivo La Coruña (loan) |2016–17<ref name="2016/2017">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2016|access-date=7 September 2017}}</ref> |La Liga |20||5||4||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||24||6 |- |rowspan="3"|Newcastle United |2017–18<ref name="2017/2018">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2017|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Premier League |30||4||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||4 |- |2018–19<ref name="2018/2019">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2018|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> |16||2||3||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !46!!6!!4!!1!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!52!!7 |- |rowspan="4"|Alavés |2019–20<ref name="2019/2020">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2019|access-date=25 November 2019}}</ref> |rowspan="3"|La Liga |36||11||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37||11 |- |2020–21<ref name="2020/2021">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2020|access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> |37||11||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||11 |- |2021–22<ref name="2020/2021"/> |37||14||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||14 |- !colspan="2"|Total !110!!36!!3!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!113!!36 |- |Espanyol |2022–23<ref name="2022/23">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2022|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref> |La Liga |34||16||4||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||17 |- |Real Madrid (loan) |2023–24<ref name="2023/24">{{Soccerbase season|54170|2023|access-date=5 July 2023}}</ref> |La Liga |34||10||2||2||colspan="2"|—||11{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}||5||2{{efn|Appearances in Supercopa de España}}||1||49||18 |- |rowspan="3"|Al-Gharafa |2024–25 |rowspan="2"|Qatar Stars League |21||10||4||4||0||0||9{{efn|name=AFC|Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite}}||4||1{{efn|Appearance in Qatar Cup}}||0||35||18 |- |2025–26 |9||4||0||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=AFC}}||3||0||0||12||7 |- !colspan="2"|Total !30!!14!!4!!4!!0!!0!!12!!7!!1!!0!!47!!25 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !490!!154!!32!!16!!5!!0!!30!!13!!9!!8!!566!!191 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 15 October 2024}}<ref name='NFT'>{{NFT player|id=90591|accessdate=14 January 2024}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Spain |- |2023||9||5 |- |2024||8||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!17!!6 |}
{{updated|match played 15 October 2024}} :''Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first.''<ref name='NFT'/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Joselu ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Cap !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | align=center | 1 || rowspan="2"|25 March 2023 || rowspan="2"|La Rosaleda, Málaga, Spain || rowspan="2" align=center | 1 || rowspan="2"|{{fb|NOR}} || align=center | 2–0 || rowspan="2" align=center| 3–0 || rowspan="2"|UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |- | align=center | 2 || align=center | 3–0 |- | align=center | 3 || 15 June 2023 || De Grolsch Veste, Enschede, Netherlands || align=center | 3 || {{fb|ITA}} || align=center | 2–1 || align=center | 2–1 || 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals |- | align=center | 4 || 12 September 2023 || Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes, Granada, Spain || align=center | 6 || {{fb|CYP}} || align=center | 3–0 || align=center | 6–0 || UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |- | align=center | 5 || 16 November 2023 || Alphamega Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus || align=center | 9 || {{fb|CYP}} || align=center | 3–0 || align=center | 3–1 || UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |- | align=center | 6 || 8 September 2024 || Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland|| align=center | 15 || {{fb|SUI}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 4–1 || 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A |}
==Honours== '''Real Madrid''' * La Liga: 2023–24<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0x05j54l8wo|title=Real Madrid crowned champions after Barca's defeat at Girona|website=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2024|access-date=4 May 2024}}</ref> * Supercopa de España: 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 January 2024 |title=El Real Madrid recupera su corona en la Supercopa (4–1) |url=https://rfef.es/es/noticias/cronica-el-real-madrid-recupera-su-corona-en-la-supercopa-4-1 |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=Real Federación Española de Fútbol |language=es}}</ref> * UEFA Champions League: 2023–24<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/40257014/champions-league-real-madrid-beat-dortmund-15th-title|title=Champions League: Real Madrid beat Dortmund for 15th title|publisher=espn.co.uk|date=1 June 2024|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> '''Al-Gharafa''' *Emir of Qatar Cup: 2025, 2026
'''Spain''' * UEFA European Championship: 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |title=Spain 2–1 England |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036211--spain-vs-england/ |access-date=14 July 2024 |website=UEFA}}</ref> * UEFA Nations League: 2022–23<ref name="UNLWin">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Emma |date=18 June 2023 |title=Spain win Nations League final on penalties |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65944659 |access-date=18 June 2023}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *Zarra Trophy: 2022–23<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/en/new/joselu-wins-laliga-zarra-trophy/15671|title=Joselu wins LaLiga Zarra trophy|website=rcdespanyol.com|date=6 June 2023|access-date=6 June 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://www.realmadrid.com/en/football/squad/joselu-mato Profile] at Real Madrid CF * {{Premier League player|new_id=61316|old_id=6425}} * {{UEFA player}} * {{Soccerway|new_id=joselu/jJOOI2o0|id=jose-luis-sanmartin-mato/78568|archive=20240806174634}} * {{Soccerbase}} * {{BDFutbol|9301}} * {{Futbolme|7461}} * {{Fussballdaten|joselu}}
{{Al-Gharafa SC squad}} {{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2024}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joselu}} Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Stuttgart Category:German men's footballers Category:Spanish men's footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:RC Celta Fortuna players Category:RC Celta de Vigo players Category:Real Madrid Castilla footballers Category:Real Madrid CF players Category:TSG 1899 Hoffenheim players Category:Eintracht Frankfurt players Category:Hannover 96 players Category:Stoke City F.C. players Category:Deportivo de La Coruña players Category:Newcastle United F.C. players Category:Deportivo Alavés players Category:RCD Espanyol footballers Category:Al-Gharafa SC players Category:Segunda División B players Category:Segunda División players Category:La Liga players Category:Bundesliga players Category:Premier League players Category:Qatar Stars League players Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players Category:Spain men's youth international footballers Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers Category:Spain men's international footballers Category:UEFA Euro 2024 players Category:UEFA Nations League–winning players Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Qatar Category:German people of Spanish descent Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players Category:21st-century German sportsmen Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen