Joselu Mato on Real Madrid exit and Al‑Gharafa move

Veteran striker Joselu Mato, who arrived on loan from Espanyol in the summer of 2023, will leave Real Madrid after a season that saw him make 49 appearances and score 18 goals across all competitions. His departure to Qatari side Al‑Gharafa follows a year in which he became a cult favourite at the Bernabeu.

Joselu Mato joined Real Madrid on loan from Espanyol in the summer of 2023, a move that carried modest expectations. He featured in 49 matches for the Spanish giants during the 2023‑24 campaign, finding the net 18 times.

Primarily deployed as an impact substitute, Mato delivered his most decisive moments in the Champions League. He scored a late brace in the semi‑final second leg against Bayern Munich, securing Real Madrid’s place in the final.

In the final, Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2‑0 to claim their 15th Champions League title. Mato’s contributions in the knockout stages were highlighted as key to the triumph.

Following the season, Mato discussed his future in an interview with former goalkeeper Iker Casillas on the programme Bajo Los Palos, as reported by Diario AS. He cited a contract offer from Al‑Gharafa as too attractive for both him and his family.

Mato said, “Ancelotti calls me… And I can tell you that the first month I had a hard time, because they put a lot of energy on me. But the decision to leave Real Madrid is going to weigh on me all my life because what I have experienced there I will never live again. But the decision to think about my children, my wife and their future, I think that right now is ahead of any sporting issue.”

Mato will remain a cult hero at the Bernabeu, with his 2023‑24 exploits described as remarkable. He earned the chance to secure his family’s future after just twelve months in the Spanish capital.