Joselu talks Mbappe, Carvajal, Gonzalo, Alonso, Real Madrid exit – ‘Hardest moment of my entire career’ | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe took his time adapting to the number nine position last season, and while he eventually made the transition look easy, there was a period where it looked like Real Madrid made a mistake by letting Joselu leave.

The veteran striker, after all, slotted in as the perfect replacement when Karim Benzema left the club and did not demand a major role. Instead, he made the most of his few minutes and contributed as a solid goalscorer in dire situations.

His departure, in many ways, was a personal decision and he would certainly have had a place under Xabi Alonso, especially considering that the manager was seriously looking for a ‘Joselu-like’ player just over a month ago.

Joselu speaks to the media

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the former Real Madrid striker commented on a plethora of topics including his departure from the club, various players at Real Madrid including some of the new signings.

He first began by recalling how it was to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia and the stark change in terms of his performances on the field and personal life outside it.

“At first it was complicated. You come from winning the Champions League with the best club in the world, and the Euros with Spain. And the change to any club, coming from Real Madrid, is great,” he said.

“Throughout my career, I was able to enjoy the most modest football and then feel what it meant to be in Madrid. The decision not to stay there was hard, but you also think a little about your family and your age,” he added on why he left.

“The first few months were a little difficult, but I’m already adapted here,” he concluded.

Remembering winning the UEFA Champions League in 2023-24 at the club and the decisive performance he delivered against Bayern Munich to go down in the club’s history, Joselu said,

“That’s how it is and that’s how they make me feel. This summer I visited my house in Madrid and, although more than a year has passed, people still remember me on the street from those Bernabeu games.”

“On social networks, when Madrid plays, many people continue to remember me and I will always be eternally grateful to all those fans,” he added.

Jovially replying to a hypothetical question on what he would do if Xabi Alonso offered him a short stint at the club, Joselu was caught in a fix but stuck to his commitment of not returning.

“It puts me in a commitment. In principle, I rule out going back to Spain. And also, be a coach. I’ll have had enough football when I retire.”

“This summer I have had offers from Spanish and European Champions League clubs, but no: me and my family are fine in Qatar. Leaving Madrid was the hardest moment of my entire career, because I was leaving behind the dream of a child,” he added.

Joselu and Dani Carvajal share a close bond via their family, and the former Real Madrid player was asked to provide an update on the right-back as of their latest meeting.

“I saw him with great desire, like a kid who just got on the first team. He is impatient, wanting to help his club win and be able to be the player with the most titles in the history of Madrid.”

“You already know him: Dani is a gladiator. He has had a very serious injury and there he is. We are talking about the best right-back in the history of Real Madrid in every way,” he added.

Joselu left Real Madrid in 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

On whether the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold complicated matters for the right-back or benefits him, Joselu said,

“We have seen Madrid sign others in Carvajal’s position, but Dani has a competitive gene that is not normal. In the end, you must have two players per position for the number of games there are.”

“So they don’t have to worry about either. There will be moments for both of us. It is unsustainable to play 60-70 games. Dani also changed her nutrition plans and has always improved,” he added.

Joselu was then asked to comment on the departure of Lucas Vazquez and whether it was right of the club to decide to part ways with him.

“Lucas is a great friend of mine. We talked a few days ago on the phone. He has been a very important player and I think he is a legend of the club, a special player. He helped me a lot when I arrived.”

“But, of course, Madrid is that complicated when you have to leave. I had a very hard time when I saw his farewell at the Bernabéu. Anyway, I wish him all the best always because he is someone special to me,” he added.

The striker then commented on Kylian Mbappe who won the Pichichi trophy last year and whether he was the best striker in world football and could win the Ballon d’Or.

“He is the Golden Boot, but in Madrid you also need the titles won, right? He is an innate scorer, with barbaric conditions, but the Ballon d’Or thing is a bit matched to having titles that year.”

“The fans demand it from him, the club demands it from him, football demands it from him. This year, with the adaptation already done, more titles will come, I hope, for the club and for him,” he added.

He also gave his two cents on Gonzalo Garcia who exploded at the FIFA Club World Cup and whether the youngster should stay with the first team.

“I already said that he was a boy who trained with us, when I was there, and he had terrible conditions, scoring many goals in the subsidiary.”

“I have talked to him and he has always asked me a lot. He’s going to give everything for the shield,” he added.

Finally, the player admitted that it would be warm to have a chance to say goodbye to the Santiago Bernabeu once more before he retires.

“When I make the decision to leave football in a few years, it would be incredible if I could get to the Real Madrid stadium and they could pay a little tribute.”

“It would be a special moment for me, because that club was my life. Live that in an official game, be able to do something in the previous. It would be something very nice,” he added.

Source: MARCA