Joselu opens up on Real Madrid exit: ‘The decision to leave will weigh on me for the rest of my life’ | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid striker Joselu has admitted that leaving the club is a decision he will always carry with him, despite believing it was the right choice for his family.

Speaking on Iker Casillas’ podcast Bajo los Palos (h/t Mundo Deportivo), the Al-Gharafa forward reflected on the defining moments of his career, from his emotional return to Real Madrid to his life in Qatar.

The call that changed everything

Joselu revealed that Carlo Ancelotti’s phone call completely altered the course of his career, but admitted that his first few weeks back at Real Madrid were far from easy.

“Ancelotti rang me… And I can tell you that I had a tough time that first month, because they really put me through the wringer,” he explained.

Even so, he eventually established himself as an important squad player, producing several decisive moments during the club’s successful campaign.

The Bayern Munich game that everyone remembers

Among those unforgettable moments was Real Madrid’s dramatic UEFA Champions League semi-final victory over Bayern Munich, thanks to the veteran Spaniard’s late brace.

Joselu was Real Madrid’s hero against Bayern Munich. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Joselu admitted that supporters still bring up the match everywhere he goes.

“I’m in Qatar at the moment and everyone’s talking to me about the match. And we’re talking about something that happened two years ago,” admitted Joselu.

He also recalled the lengthy VAR review that preceded one of his goals.

“I’m never aware of how long the referee spent reviewing the incident on VAR. To me, it felt like an eternity – half an hour,” he noted.

On the pressure of playing for Real Madrid

When asked about the pressure of playing for Real Madrid, Joselu offered a different perspective.

Rather than focusing on the expectations of winning trophies, he argued that the greatest pressure throughout his career came while playing for smaller clubs, where a poor season could threaten both his future and financial security.

“The pressure comes from knowing that if you hit a slump, 60 per cent of your contract goes up in smoke, and that if you have a bad year, nobody will want you the following year,” he said.

“I think I’ve experienced that pressure throughout my entire career – that’s what it’s all about.”

Joselu left Real Madrid in 2024. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)

Compared to fighting relegation every year, competing for trophies at Real Madrid felt like a privilege to Joselu.

“After all, I’ve been in modest teams and… you know that from the very first league match, your aim is just to avoid relegation… Winning a title? Well, I’d say, bless that pressure.”

A decision he Will never forget

Despite the unforgettable memories he created in Madrid, Joselu admitted that leaving the club remains emotionally difficult.

He described his time at the Santiago Bernabeu as an experience he knows he will never replicate elsewhere. Still, he believes prioritising his family’s future was the right decision.

“The decision to leave Madrid will weigh on me for the rest of my life because what I’ve experienced there, I’ll never experience again,” he admitted.

“But the decision to think about my children, my wife and their future – I think that right now takes precedence over any sporting considerations.”