There is a sports or better say football culture in Spain that has been built for decades, which results in the enthusiasm of the public that the new coach Luis de la Fuente called Joselu under the banner. The first time, only at the age of 32. To make his debut for the national team at the beginning of the new cycle. And there were no sarcastic remarks, “what kind of rejuvenation is this with a man who has entered his fourth decade of life”, no one complained that he does not play for Barcelona or Real Madrid, nor did they wonder what the striker from the club which in 26 games scored only 32 goals.The qualifying journey to EURO 2024 in Germany began, La Furia Roja struggled to hit Norway with a final blow in the opening match – and then the anxious fans at La Rosaleda saw the king of the penalty area appear – Joselu! Enough for the public in the Pyrenees to explode.”Triumphant debut” or “Dream debut”, were just some of the headlines that the most influential newspapers there blessed the Espanyol striker, who needed only four minutes and 15 seconds to beat Nyland, after coming in to play instead of Alvaro Morata.##NAJAVA_MECA_7125113##The first goal was classic Joselu. The way Brian Olivan targeted him throughout the season in Espanyol, he was found by Fabian Ruiz from the left wing position, and the 192-centimeter-tall striker justified his status as the footballer who plays best with his head in Spain in the last three seasons.A little later, he confirmed that he is also resourceful with his foot. Once again in the penalty box, to break the record of Fernando Morientes who in 1998 needed five minutes and 40 seconds to break through Sweden’s defense twice. Joselu did it 85 seconds faster against the Norwegians.He congratulated himself on his 33rd birthday, which he will celebrate on Monday.”I still can’t believe what I did,” says Joselu, shaking his head, after converting his first two shots against the Vikings. “This is the most beautiful thing a football player can experience. Finally, many years of work paid off. Thanks to Ruiz for the cross, thanks to the coach for his trust. I feel like an 18-year-old boy. Now is the time to enjoy.”Well deserved, because Joselu has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. The previous time he wore the jersey of the national team back in 2009, but then of the youth selection. It was a period when even much bigger forwards could not so easily enter the senior team next to Fernando Torres or David Villa, at a time when the Spanish ruled Europe and the world. Later, Diego Costa arrived, and an identity crisis followed, which Alvaro Morata tried to solve, but it seems that he did not fully succeed.No one is saying that Joselu will be a long-term solution, however, it is impressive how he has matured from a man who couldn’t find his way under Rafael Benitez at Newcastle to become a center forward who solves games. It is already the fourth season that he has achieved double-digit goalscoring tally. Which is especially interesting in teams that are fighting for survival. Twice with Alaves, he finished in 16th position and narrowly avoided moving to Segunda Division, last year with the Basques there was no salvation for him (last in the table), now he is again in a team that fears for status (Espanyol), but he was the most recognizable individual of the team in every championship campaign he was in.Spain tear Haaland-less Norway apart as Odegaard gets thumped by RodriAt this point in the season, Joselu is the top Spanish scorer in Primera along with Borja Igesias and Iago Aspas. They all scored 12 goals, and all of them are tied to – Celta! Unlike Aspas, who is still in Galicia, the current strikers of Betis and Espanyol had to prove themselves through the B teams of the Balaidos club, but never got a proper chance in Vigo.That’s why, at the age of 19, Joselu tried in the second team of Real Madrid and in the 2010/11 season, together with Alvaro Morata, he was the best scorer of Real Madrid Castilla, a team that serves the senior team for making youngsters ready for the Los Blancos A squad. Morata got some kind of chance in the Royal Club. Joselu didn’t. He played only two matches (scoring two goals in them) and sought happiness in his native Germany, considering that he is originally from Stuttgart. Hoffenheim, Eintracht, Hannover – he tried but nowhere was he as influential as he is now, when he has passed his 30th year.Most goals scored in La Liga this season:◎ 15 – Robert Lewandowski◎ 13 – Enes Ünal◉ 12 – Joselu◎ 12 – Borja Iglesias◎ 12 – Iago AspasSmashing it in the league, smashing it on his international debut. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/gRDKy3a1Du— Squawka (@Squawka) March 25, 2023 The period in the UK was not productive either, although Mark Hughes praised his style of play during his time at Stoke, and Benitez was unable to exploit it at St James’ Park. That’s why patient coaches, like Asier Garritan, Javi Calleja, Jose Luis Mendilibar or now Diego Martinez are. And of course De la Fuente – in spite of Luis Enrique, who took his son-in-law to the Qatar World Cup.Only 149 seconds spent on the field of the stadium in Malaga were needed for Joselu to score in the jersey of the Spanish national team.Interestingly, he scored goals in his debut matches for Real Madrid (against Almeria in 2011), Eintracht (2013), Hannover (2014), Alaves (2019) and Espanyol (2022).
