“I want to become a German citizen and play for your national team” | Relief
Aasen (Germany).- Who still doesn’t know or hasn’t read yesterday’s report from Relevo en la crib about Joselu Mato (34 years old), a striker for the national team and, until a few days ago, for Real Madrid, of German origin. He was born in Stuttgart, played in the Bundesliga and even dreamed of playing for Mannschaft for a while. His line, uttered 12 years ago when he was stylishly introduced to the Hoffenheim squad, resonates more strongly these days for two reasons: because he has a Spain-Germany game at home on Friday, the equivalent of a European Cup quarter-final; and because he is playing little at the moment, and perhaps this surprising line comes to mind.
Everything has its explanation. Joselu excelled in Alberto Toril’s Castilla in the 2011-12 season, including promotion, which is why he attracted the attention of many clubs in Spain and Europe. As did Dani Carvajal, who also left that summer for Bayer Leverkusen to do his decisive military service outside Valdebebas. Joselu was fashionable and unstoppable. That’s why he was frank and euphoric in his presentation on August 8 to the official media of his new club: ““I freely chose Germany. I want to be able to apply for German citizenship and eventually maybe even play for the German national team. But that’s only the second step, the first is to go down that path and help the team.”
His words spread widely in Spain, as Joselu had been a regular guest at the training camps of various categories of youth of Spain for several years. In 2008 he played for the national team U-19 (11 games and three goals). The following year he debuted in the U-20 team. And then he did the same with the U-21 (four games and one goal). When he moved to Hoffenheim, the forward was 22 years old, but Absolut had not yet knocked on his door. Perhaps that is why his words were a cause for challenge, pressure or impatience. His debut for Absolut (12 games and five goals) came only 11 years later. It happened on March 25, 2023, on the orders of De la Fuente. And he did it, scoring twice in the 3-0 win over Norway in the nine minutes he enjoyed coming off the bench.
Babbel, your supporter in Germany
Markus Babbel played a key role in his arrival in Germany. German legend who was set to become his coach in the 2012–13 season. It was he who finally convinced him to abandon his other options, as the striker himself admitted: “Marcus gave me a lot of confidence during our conversations. The club environment had a positive influence on my decision. “I have the impression that the club is run very professionally.”
It was the coach who advised him to spend long periods of time in the gym to build up the muscle mass he now has and was missing. Babbel knew he needed polishing, but even so, he was glad to have him there. “Joselu showed his class at Real Madrid, but he is still young and has great potential. He is a great signing for Hoffenheim.” he assured on the club’s website.
Hoffenheim were counting on him as a star player. And he was always careful when it came to revealing information about the transfer agreement with Real Madrid. He had to make a statement in response to constant questions from journalists at all press conferences. What he did do was show off as a striker. Joselu, who was already a national team player and worked under Mourinho, He joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Celta Vigo and in that final season, his season of initiation, he scored 26 goals for the Whites.
All of Germany was delighted with his arrival. And when they heard from him that he swore eternal love for his club and even thought about the idea of changing the national team, even more so. In Germany, he became increasingly famous, because after 25 games and five goals for Hoffenheim, he also played on loan for Eintracht (32/14) and Hannover (32/10). This Friday he will be one of Stuttgart’s most recognisable players.
Sober but restless
Joselu is shining with the season that has passed, with the fact that he is representing Spain and the fact that his departure to Al Gharafa in Qatar is finally closed. However, he does not participate in La Roja as often as he would like, and this reality naturally irritates him. He has already shown some signs of some frustration and unrest. The most important was the day in Berlin, when he rushed to the bus – half an hour before the others and without practicing on the grass with the substitutes – and when asked to show him a message from his Stuttgart neighbours, did not pay any attention to the video shown with their people and his old family home.
In the interviews he gave and gave to his colleagues, he demonstrated exceptional professionalism, great respect, solidarity and camaraderie. The procession, if there is one, goes inside.After all, he has not played a single minute in three of the four Eurocup matches played to date. And in which he was in the starting lineup, was substituted in the 72nd minute and went out of the goal. Now the truth is that he is not playing (almost) against Spain, nor (despite the wink) against Germany.