Joselu is a famous Spanish soccer player who currently plays as a striker for Al-Gharafa in Qatar.
He became a global star after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League before moving to the Middle East. Fans often ask about his wealth because of his big contract in the Qatar Stars League.
In this article, you will know Joselu’s Net Worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Joselu’s Biography
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | José Luis Mato Sanmartín |
| Date of Birth | March 27, 1990 |
| Age | 35 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Turned Pro | 2009 |
| Net Worth | Around $20 Million |
| Salary | €8 Million (Net) per year |
| Wife | Melanie Cañizares |
| Instagram Profile | @joselumato |
| Twitter Profile | @JoseluMato9 |
Early Career
Joselu was born in Stuttgart, Germany, but he moved to Spain when he was a little boy. He started playing soccer in the youth teams of Celta Vigo.
He showed great talent as a striker because he was tall and strong. He played for Celta Vigo’s B team first and then made it to their main team.
Big clubs noticed his skills quickly. Real Madrid bought him for their youth academy, known as “La Fábrica” or Real Madrid Castilla. He played very well there and scored many goals. He even became the top scorer for the B team.
This success helped him play a few games for the main Real Madrid team alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Professional Career
Joselu has played for many teams in different countries. After Real Madrid, he went back to Germany to play for teams like Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Hannover 96. He then moved to the English Premier League.
He played for Stoke City and Newcastle United, where he worked hard but found it tough to score many goals.
He returned to Spain and played his best soccer. He became a star at Alavés and later Espanyol. In 2023, he went back to Real Madrid on loan and had a dream season.
He scored important goals and won the Champions League and La Liga. In June 2024, he signed with Al-Gharafa in Qatar to start a new adventure.
Wife
Joselu is married to Melanie Cañizares. She works as a flight attendant and model. They got married in 2016. They have two sons named Leo and Lucas.
Melanie has a twin sister named Daphne Cañizares. Daphne is married to Dani Carvajal, who is also a famous soccer player for Real Madrid and Spain.
This makes Joselu and Dani Carvajal brothers-in-law as well as teammates on the national team. The two families are very close and often spend holidays together.
Joselu’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Joselu has an estimated net worth of around $20 Million. His wealth grew a lot after he signed his big contract in Qatar.
Contract
Joselu signed a two-year contract with Al-Gharafa in June 2024. The deal keeps him at the club until June 2026. The contract also includes an option to extend for one more year. This is the biggest contract of his entire career.
Salary
In Qatar, Joselu earns a huge salary compared to his time in Europe. Reports state he makes €8 million net per year. This equals roughly $8.5 million to $9 million USD annually. This is much higher than his salary at Espanyol or Real Madrid.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Estimated Salary (Gross) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Al-Gharafa | ~$10,000,000 (Gross equiv.) |
| 2024-2025 | Al-Gharafa | ~$10,000,000 (Gross equiv.) |
| 2023-2024 | Real Madrid | ~$2,700,000 |
| 2022-2023 | Espanyol | ~$2,600,000 |
| 2021-2022 | Alavés | ~$2,500,000 |
| 2020-2021 | Alavés | ~$2,200,000 |
Endorsements
Joselu primarily boosts his income through a long-standing sponsorship deal with Adidas.
He serves as a brand ambassador for the German sportswear giant, exclusively wearing their boots on the pitch—most recently opting for the Adidas X Crazyfast and F50 Elite models during his matches for Al-Gharafa and the Spanish national team.
Beyond footwear, Joselu leverages his significant social media presence to promote Adidas apparel and lifestyle products to his millions of followers on Instagram.
Since his high-profile move to Qatar in 2024, he has also become a key figure for local promotional activities, often participating in club-related campaigns that align with Al-Gharafa’s partners, though his personal commercial portfolio remains anchored by his relationship with Adidas.
Career Stats
| Club | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Gharafa | 25+ | 10+ |
| Real Madrid | 52 | 19 |
| Espanyol | 38 | 17 |
| Alavés | 113 | 36 |
| Newcastle United | 52 | 7 |
| Stoke City | 27 | 4 |
| Hoffenheim | 25 | 5 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 33 | 14 |
| Hannover 96 | 32 | 10 |
| Celta Vigo | 30 | 4 |
FAQs
1. Which football club does Joselu play?
He currently plays for Al-Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League. He joined the Qatari club in June 2024 on a two-year deal after a successful season with Real Madrid where he won the Champions League.
2. Who is the striker’s wife and how is she related to Dani Carvajal?
His wife is Melanie Cañizares, a model and flight attendant. She is the twin sister of Daphne Cañizares, who is married to Dani Carvajal, making the two Spanish national teammates brothers-in-law.
3. How much does Mato earn annually at Al-Gharafa?
The striker earns approximately €8 million net per season at Al-Gharafa. This substantial contract in the Middle East significantly increased his career earnings after he left European football.
4. Why did Joselu decide to leave Real Madrid?
He chose to leave Real Madrid to secure a guaranteed starting role and a higher salary in Qatar. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick likely influenced his decision to move abroad.
5. What major trophies has he won with the Spain national team?
He achieved major success with Spain, winning the UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2023 Nations League. He proved vital as a substitute who scored crucial goals in semi-finals for his country.
