Joselu Mato

Joselu Mato is a German professional footballer. He is famous for playing in the position of striker for La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, where he's currently on loan from Segunda División club Espanyol. Previously, he has played for Celta de Vigo, TSG Hoffenheim, Hannover 96, Stoke City, Newcastle United, and Alavés. Born in Germany, he represents the Spain national team. 

Who is Joselu Mato?

Joselu Mato, a renowned striker, currently plays for Real Madrid in La Liga, on loan from Espanyol. His career journey spans clubs like Celta de Vigo, Real Madrid, TSG Hoffenheim, Hannover 96, Stoke City, Newcastle United, and Alavés. 

Joselu Mato, born on March 27, 1990, hails from Stuttgart, West Germany. José Luis Mato Sanmartín is his full name. He is of German nationality and has a German-White ethnic background. Born to his father, Ramon Mato, a renowned writer and municipal officer, and his mother, Elvira Mato.

Joselu spent his early life with her sister, Irene Mato. His early education took place in Germany for four years before his family relocated to Galicia, Spain, shaping his multicultural background. Joselu's diverse upbringing reflects his international experiences, contributing to his journey as a footballer.

Joselu Mato Career

Celta de Vigo

• Joselu Mato began his professional football career with local club Celta de Vigo. 
• He featured in two matches during the late stages of the 2008–09 season in the second division.
• Making his debut with the main squad at the age of 18, he simultaneously played for the B-team in the third level. 
• In the summer of 2009, Real Madrid acquired Joselu, promptly loaning him back to Celta de Vigo for another season. 
• Although he saw regular playing time in the second division, Joselu's goal tally was limited to four as the team secured a 12th-place finish in the league.

Castilla

• Joselu emerged as a standout player for Real Madrid Castilla during the 2010–11 season, sharing the top scorer title with Álvaro Morata.
• On May 21, 2011, he marked his debut for the first team in La Liga against Almería, which Real Madrid won 8–1.
• He then contributed a goal in a 5–1 victory against Ponferradina during the Copa del Rey in December 2011. 
• In his second season with Castilla, he scored an impressive total of 26 goals, securing his status as the competition's top scorer. 

TSG Hoffenheim

• He then signed a four-year contract with TSG Hoffenheim for an undisclosed fee on 8th August 2012. 
• He made his Bundesliga debut on 16 September against SC Freiburg where he scored his first goal. 
• He played 25 times for 1899 Hoffenheim, scoring five goals. 

Hannover 96

• He joined Hannover 96 on a four-year deal for a €5 million transfer fee on 9th June 2014. 
  
• For the team, he played only one season making 32 appearances and scoring 10 goals. 

Stoke City

• On June 16, 2015, he joined Stoke City in the English Premier League for a transfer fee of £5.75 million.
• Making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur on August 15, he played a crucial role, winning a penalty that contributed to Stoke's 2–2 draw.
• He scored his first goal for Stoke in a 4–3 victory at Everton on December 28. 
• During the 2015–16 season, he made 27 appearances, scoring four goals as Stoke finished in ninth position.
• On August 31, 2016, he returned to Galicia, joining Deportivo de La Coruña on a season-long loan. 
• He made a significant impact with Deportivo, scoring six goals in 24 appearances before an Achilles injury prematurely ended his season.

Newcastle United

• On August 16, 2017, he signed a three-year deal with Premier League club Newcastle United for a fee of £5 million. 
• Debuting on August 20 as a substitute in a 1–0 loss to Huddersfield Town, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over West Ham United on August 26. 
• He finished the season as the third-highest top scorer behind Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Pérez. 

Alavés

• On July 15, 2019, he made a return to La Liga by joining Alavés on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reportedly around £2.5 million. 
• Making a memorable debut on August 18, he scored the sole goal in a home match against Levante. 
• In his final season at the Mendizorrotza Stadium before the end of his contract in 2022, he emerged as the league's seventh-highest scorer with an impressive tally of 14 goals in 37 games.

Espanyol

• He then signed a three-year deal with Espanyol as a free agent on 27th June 2022. 
• For the club, he made his debut on 13th August against his former club Celta. 

Real Madrid

• On June 19, 2023, Real Madrid officially announced the return of Joselu on a loan deal until June 30, 2024, with an option to buy at the end of the season. 
• Making his first appearance after his return on August 12, 2023, he entered the game in the 80th minute in a 2–0 league victory against Athletic Bilbao. 
• He marked his goal-scoring return on September 2, 2023, by netting against Getafe in a 2–1 win. 
• He made his UEFA Champions League debut on September 20, 2023, in a group-stage match against Union Berlin. 
• His contributions continued to shine as he scored his first Champions League goal on November 29, securing a 4–2 victory against Napoli. 
• The striker showcased his prowess on December 12 by scoring a brace in a 3–2 away win over Union Berlin, contributing to Real Madrid's flawless six wins out of six matches in Group C, finishing as group leaders.

International Career

• Internationally, he had represented Spain at the under-19, under-20, and under-21 levels earlier in his career. 
• He earned his first call-up to the senior squad at nearly 33 years old. 
• He had also been capped for Galicia in 2016. 
• The breakthrough moment came on March 17, 2023, when Joselu was named to the Spain national team for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Norway and Scotland. 
• Making his debut against Norway on March 25, he became the oldest Spain debutant since 2006, coming off the bench and scoring twice in two minutes to secure a 3–0 victory. 
• On June 15, 2023, he scored the decisive goal for Spain in the 88th minute, just four minutes after being subbed on, leading them to a 2–1 victory over Italy in the Nations League semi-finals. 

Who is Joselu Mato Wife?

Joselu Mato is a happily married man to his wife, Melanie Canizares. The couple exchanged their marital vows in 2016. Melanie is a prominent fashion influencer, boasting a substantial fan following on her social media accounts. The duo is blessed with two sons namely Leo and Lucas. Together, Joselu and Melanie share a blissful and fulfilling present life. 

Joselu Mato Net Worth 2024

Joselu Mato, the accomplished professional footballer, has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2024, with a substantial annual salary of €500,000 from his current team. His primary source of wealth is derived from his successful football career, marked by notable transfers and contracts.

Beginning with his move to Hannover 96 in 2014 for a €5 million transfer fee, Joselu's journey continued with significant transfers to English side Stoke City in 2015 for £5.75 million and later to Premier League side Newcastle United in 2017 for £5 million. 

Returning to La Liga in 2019, he joined Alavés on a three-year contract for a reported fee of around £2.5 million. His most recent career move took place on June 27, 2022, when Joselu signed a lucrative three-year deal with Espanyol as a free agent. This financial success allows him to lead a lavish lifestyle. 

How tall is Joselu Mato?

Joselu Mato is a handsome footballer. He has a standing height of 1.92 m with a body weight of 80 kg. He complements his athletic image with a collection of tattoos adorning his body. As a dedicated athlete, he prioritizes his physical fitness through regular exercise routines, contributing to his healthy and well-maintained body. His striking appearance is enhanced by a pair of brown eyes and a mix of light and dark brown hair. He has got a healthy body as of now. 

5 Facts About Joselu Mato

Here are some key facts about footballer Joselu Mato

Josely Mato began his professional career with Celta Vigo

Joselu started his professional journey with Celta Vigo in 2008, initially playing his first two professional matches for local club Celta de Vigo in the second division during the late stages of the 2008–09 season. From the age of 18, coinciding with his debuts for the main squad, he concurrently contributed to the B-team in the third level. His talent did not go unnoticed, as Real Madrid acquired Joselu in late summer 2009. 

He primarily plays as a striker

He is primarily recognized for his proficiency as a striker on the football field. His role as a forward showcases his goal-scoring prowess and offensive contributions, making him a key asset for the teams he represents. Whether leading the line or making decisive runs into the box, Joselu's skills as a striker have been integral to his success and impact throughout his professional career. 

Dani Carvajal is his brother-in-law

Joselu Mato shares a familial connection with Real Madrid's right-back Dani Carvajal, as Carvajal is the twin brother of Joselu's wife, Melanie Canizares. In 2016, Joselu tied the knot with Melanie, while Dani Carvajal married her twin sister, Daphne Canizares, last year. The interwoven family ties extend beyond personal relationships, as both Joselu and Dani Carvajal recently contributed to the success of the Spain squad in winning the UEFA Nations League 2023.

He is a Real Madrid's sharpshooter

He stands out as Real Madrid's sharpshooter, showcasing his prowess as a striker with an impressive record of scoring goals. Renowned for his accuracy and ability to find the back of the net, he has become a key figure in Real Madrid's attacking lineup. His goal-scoring exploits contribute significantly to the team's success, making him a formidable force on the field. 

His father was his early mentor

Joselu Mato's early mentor in the world of football was none other than his father, Roman Mato. Spending countless hours in their backyard, Roman played a pivotal role in shaping Joselu's skills, and fostering a strong bond through their shared passion for football. Despite changing surroundings, Joselu's dream of becoming a great athlete persisted, fueled further by the fiery passion and skill of his football idol, Fernando Torres.