Real Madrid hero Joselu was Newcastle flop who Benitez likened to a slow car

Joselu hits the corner flag with a shot from 22 yards after coming on as a 74th-minute sub for Yoshi Muto in a 1-0 home defeat to Brighton.

The St James’ Park crowd grumble. A £5m bargain striker, seven goals in 52 appearances, a symbol of Rafa Benitez trying to work a miracle in the Mike Ashley era. Just one headline from the Joselu we knew in Newcastle, less than six years ago.

Aged 34, he’s now written a new story, and one all the more remarkable considering what came before. And one that is uplifting, and a lesson in football and life.

The latest headline: Supersub Joselu, sharp and reactive, dynamite in front of goal, smashes two goals in three minutes to elevate Real Madrid to the Champions League final. More goals in 180 seconds than in his last nine months on Tyneside.

Now, Joselu, journeyman of Stoke, revived in Alaves and Espanyol, a never-give-up hero, advert for persistence, is forever part of Bernabeu folklaw.

He hears the legacy of his time in the Premier League every day. Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham has nicknamed him “Crouchy” because of his lanky stature and season spent with Peter Crouch at Stoke.

At Newcastle, if we are honest, his name conjures memories of dark days of struggle. A deputy for Salomon Rondon, as Benitez just about kept the Toon’s head above water. Most likely, chucked on from the bench with 15 minutes to go. Joselu wasn’t as bad as all that. Yes, he lacked pace, badly. But he was a focal point, tactically aware, a link man and very good in the air. There was always potential, now unlocked by the superstars around him.

He called himself “a different sort of player” who can “fix the centre backs” and convert crosses. At Newcastle Joselu recalls: “I wasn’t playing. You get a chance and if you