Joselu basks in unforgettable Spain debut: ´I still don´t believe it!´

Joselu was in dreamland after scoring twice on his Spain debut to help La Roja beat Norway 3-0 in Malaga on Saturday.

New head coach Luis de la Fuente named a somewhat unfamiliar squad ahead of their two opening Euro 2024 qualifiers as he began his tenure after replacing Luis Enrique.

Joselu’s call-up was long overdue in the eyes of many, given he had reached double figures for LaLiga goals in each of the previous three seasons.

He was introduced at La Rosaleda in the second half with Spain stuttering unconvincingly towards a 1-0 win, but he scored twice to put the game to bed.

As such, he became the oldest debutant to score for Spain since September 2006, two days before his 33rd birthday, and he was left in disbelief.

“The truth is that I still don’t believe it,” he told TVE. “This is everything a player can have and in the end, the daily work has had its reward.

1 – Joselu Mato (32 years and 363 days) is the oldest player to score on his debut for Spain since Sep 2006, scoring his first goal after 147 seconds after coming off the bench and becoming the first substitute to score a brace on his debut for Spain since then. Brilliant. pic.twitter.com/xiSjE7zJO1

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 25, 2023

“I think I would especially like to thank my wife and my children, and my mother, who have come here today.

“The truth is that I am not believing it.”

Joselu was also Spain’s oldest debutant since 2006, with De la Fuente opting to pick a few somewhat unfashionable options who were largely neglected by his predecessor.

The striker subsequently paid tribute to De la Fuente for giving him the opportunity.

“I thank him for everything, being here, trusting me, being on the first list,” he said.

“I think I have responded more than enough.

“Age doesn’t matter to me because I feel like a kid, I feel like an 18-year-old kid. I want to enjoy this; I want to hug my family because today is an incredible day.”

Joselu may feel he has done enough to earn a maiden start next time out, when Spain are set to face Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

“Knowing the players and giving them confidence is our job, but all the credit belongs to him,” De la Fuente said of Joselu.

“We have recognised the great work he does every day at his club and I am happy for him and for everyone else.”