Ex-Real Madrid star Joselu makes feelings clear about facing Cristiano Ronaldo in the AFC Champions League with Al-Gharafa
Al-Gharafa forward Joselu has made his feelings clear about reuniting with his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the AFC Champions League. The Spaniard took to his Instagram to express that he was happy to see the Portuguese icon once again.
Joselu and Ronaldo were teammates at Real Madrid while they were plying their trade in Europe. Ronaldo was the first to depart Europe in 2023 for Al-Nassr, while Joselu recently left for Qatari side Al-Gharafa. On November 25, Al-Gharafa and Al-Nassr locked horns in the group phase of the AFC Champions League at A-Bayt Stadium.
The clash provided the opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo and Joselu to play on the pitch together, though as adversaries. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr went on to beat Joselu’s Al-Gharafa 3-1. The Portuguese icon scored a brace for the Knights of Najd, while the Spaniard striker scored the only goal for his side.
The results saw Al-Nassr move to the second position in Group B with 13 points after five games, while Al-Gharafa were left in the eighth position with four points after the same number of games.
After the match, Joselu took to his Instagram story to post a picture of himself and Ronaldo. He wrote in the caption:
''Me alagra mucho volver a verte @cristiano.’’
In English, it translates to:
''I’m very glad to see you again, @cristiano’.’
When Joselu recalled being assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo during his first stint with Real Madrid
In 2023, Joselu recalled the time when he was assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo in his first stint at Real Madrid. The Spaniard returned to Real Madrid from Espanyol in 2023 after spending three years with the club’s reserve team. He made two appearances for the senior team in his first spell, scoring two goals.
Ronaldo and Joselu only played one match together during their time at Real Madrid. Notably, Ronaldo assisted Joselu’s first goal for Los Blancos in 2011 against UD Almeria. Los Blancos won 8-1 in the match.
During Joselu's second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, he recalled the moment saying:
''I made my debut in the first division with the team of my life and it’s a dream. On top of that, I scored a goal. I’m always asked who gave me the pass and of course, I have to say that Cristiano Ronaldo gave it to me, one of the best players in the history of Real Madrid and the world. They are moments that are impossible to erase from my memory.’’
Throughout the time Joselu spent at Real Madrid, he scored 19 goals and provided three assists in 51 appearances across competitions.
