José Luis Mato was born on March 27, 1990, in Stuttgart. But to everyone, he’s Joselu, the Real Madrid and Spanish national team’s forward. At 33 years old, he is going through a moment that does not make it difficult to imagine nor does it last too long. A few months later, from March to June, he was given the Spanish national team uniform, made his debut in a match against Norway in Malaga with two goals, won the June League, and a few days later, he was introduced as a Real Madrid player. A drastic shift, a life-changing experience that MARCA has wished to know about its genesis and development with a sportsman who is the living embodiment of happiness.

ARGUMENT. Is Joselu the happiest person ever to have existed?

RESPUTATION. Actually, no. I think I know the answer is no. If I can guarantee anything, I am extremely happy.

Q. What would be the title that everyone who faces each other would assume?

Happy, R. It can clearly be that title, which describes what I’m experiencing.

Q. Do we ever have to pinch ourselves to know if it’s true?

A. No, not at all. But if you ask me this question again a month from now, I’ll tell you that it’s true and I have to push myself.

Q. What if I asked myself a year ago?

A. I could tell him that what you are dividing cannot be true.

Q. What was Joselu’s opinion when he got into the car to come to Valdebebas as a Real Madrid player?

R. I went with Carvajal in the car because they were going to drop me off at the club later. I was going to lot, but a lot of nerves. He knew what he would find. It was known that there are people from my time in Castilla. Phew, now you’re here! He said to me when I entered the locker room. Let go of the past, enjoy the present, and live in the moment.

Q. What does that first moment look like when performing in the locker room?

R. The European Cups that exist there. The images of Modric, Ramos, Marcelo, and Cristiano… I was impressed by how the players greeted one another.

P. said, “Joselu, Madrid loves you.” Does anyone say it?

A. I call myself my agent. It’s her who tells me this.

Q. Is it proven that it didn’t have to be a joke?

R. Since I believed that he was of course. If I later come to say that it is not true, they hang up their head.

Ánggel Rivero, with today’s MARCAÁnggel Rivero, with today’s MARCAQ. How does Melanie, his wife, understand?

I. R. We were together. We look at each other and say, “It can’t be true.” Yet it was. It then started to arrive at documentation. We didn’t dare to believe it completely, but we believed it on a sporting level. There were moments when we thought nothing could be done.

Q. Is it pleasant to cry?

R. I’m not that big. Yes, my wife.

Did you cry, P.?

Yes, my wife is her. Although she did cry, I am the one who is colder.

Q. There is some part. How do Lucas and Leo know that their father participates in Real Madrid?

The little boy, R. Lucas, is three years old and still not conscious. It can be inquired, he does mention that his father participates in Madrid. For the oldest, it was a disappointment. But not just because of Madrid. That was the first time in his life where he managed to be close to his family, his grandparents, aunt and cousins. Being able to live with his people was a special joy for him.

Q. How long will it take to get the Madrid t-shirt with the number 14 and his father’s name?

A. Girl, since the clubs gave us a gift on the day of the exhibition.

Q. This past reaches Hoffenheim, Frankfurt, Stoke, Newcastle, after a not so easy path.

A. I’ve had a career filled with both good and bad moments. However, none of the steps I have taken would be changed for anything in the world. I have enjoyed everything and it has helped me be the footballer and person that I am. Granted, there are times when other paths can be chosen because something was not working, but they are the decisions that have brought me to this point.

Q. Did you achieve loneliness on that path?

A. My wife supports me a lot. Being away from her and receiving no support from your family or the media made me feel very close to her, and she was the one who always inspired me to keep moving on.

Q. What did Joselu teach in Germany and England in those past years?

A. Every place helped me learn, not only outside of Spain. In Celta I experienced a bankruptcy law. I went from not charging to Castilla, where everything was wonderful. Then I went abroad, learning the experience of living in another country, playing in Europe, getting to know the Premier League… All of them helped me grow and be who I am.

Q. Dani Carvajal, what is it for you?

A. More than a companion, more than a friend. Someone who has helped me a lot, especially in the last year.

Q. In the Final Four, with the national team, did you already know that you were a Madrid player?

A. Everything was not closed. Something could happen and everything could go to waste. Those days, Dani supported me, calmed me down. He knows how the club works and he passed it on to me.

Q. Does Joselu regret anything about that whole journey?

A. You’re welcome. Everything has helped me grow. I’ve had bad times