Three Galician Stars: Iago Aspas, Joselu, and Borja Iglesias in Vigo

Jose Luis Mato Sanmartin was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on March 27, 1990. He kicked a ball in the Germanic lands before his family relocated to Silleda in Pontevedra when he was four. There, he quickly stood out in the Silleda Sports Community, moving from Celta in southern Galicia to the big team. He signed with the Vigo club at thirteen and soon drew attention for his athletic build and goal scoring. He once declared himself Cup champion at a celebratory event where notable Celta supporters like Hugo Mallo attended. This helped Luis Milla recognize him as a leading figure for his Sub-19 squad.

Iago and Joselu in Vigo

In Vigo, a prolific scorer earned a reputation as a key player. Celta’s coach at one point, Hristo Stoichkov, oversaw his A team debut at seventeen in a friendly against Porriño. The official debut followed two years later in 2009 under coach Eusebio Sacristán. It was a challenging period for Celta, with Joselu joining alongside a strong junior cohort that included Iago Aspas Juncal, born August 1, 1987. Iago and Joselu lived together in Vigo until 2010, when the Stuttgart-born talent joined Real Madrid’s youth academy, where he continued to trouble rival defenses.

Borja Iglesias: a bold forecast for LaLiga

He emerged as the top scorer in Segunda B during his first season. A teammate later drew level with Álvaro Morata, who would become a future national teammate. In the following year he topped group 1 of Segunda B with nineteen goals, contributing forty goals across his youth career at the white academy and earning a place among the greats such as Emilio Butragueño for his goal tally.

On May 21, 2011, Mourinho’s side faced Almería with Joselu making his mark as a forward. His journey continued through several leagues, including stints in Germany, England, and Spain, as he chased opportunities to showcase his talent. His performances eventually drew interest from Espanyol, who needed a striker as Borja Iglesias moved to Betis. Joselu notched thirteen goals in twenty-seven appearances in a holding role and earned a call to the national team program under Luis De la Fuente.

As Joselu prepared to depart, Iago Aspas carried Celta on his back, delivering goals and assists that kept the team in contention for top flight football. A move to one of Europe’s most storied clubs, Liverpool, followed in June 2013 for a significant transfer. The experience yielded limited playing time, and a loan to Sevilla the next year displayed his goal scoring capability, helping Sevilla win the Europa League while his heart stayed with Vigo.

On May 21, 2011, José Mourinho’s team made a breakthrough moment against Almería. A later period saw a long journey through leagues, with stints at Hoffenheim, Eintracht, Hannover, Stoke City, and Newcastle. A return to Galicia brought him to Deportivo, and a later move to Vitoria where he found a steady goal return. His exploits eventually drew Espanyol back into the picture, with Joselu scoring across competitions and earning call-ups for national team consideration.

As Joselu moved forward, Iago Aspas carried Celta back toward the Premier League with scoring and assists. The dream of joining one of Europe’s elite clubs remained strong, and the chance to play in the Premier League surfaced again with Liverpool. He joined in 2013 for a substantial fee, but the stint produced limited minutes. A loan to Sevilla the following year displayed his quality with ten goals in twenty-five appearances, securing a Europa League trophy while his long-term home remained Vigo.

On May 21, 2011, Celta de Vigo forward Iago Aspas celebrates a goal against Cádiz at the Balaídos stadium in Vigo. Efe

Aspas returns home

Aspas returned to Celta, the club of his life. He became a symbol of the team, continuing a dazzling career with nearly two hundred goals in light blue. At thirty-five years old, he sealed a return to the national team after becoming a standout star of the period. The era paired him with coaches like Luis Enrique, though their paths did not always align in Vigo. A stint with Rápido de Bouzas as a young player felt distant, and a humorous story about age to gain entry to the Vigo club circulated. He often says he just wants to enjoy playing on the grass. His next chapter involved wearing the red of the national team, earning eighteen caps and six goals, including his memorable debut at Wembley. The journey marked a proud chapter in his career.

Borja Iglesias’ football journey also runs through the Vigo region in light blue. He began at Conxo before moving to the Valencia youth academy, where he spent three years under the tutelage of a notable striking coach. Villarreal signed him in 2010, advancing through the youth ranks to the first team. Born January 17, 1993 in Santiago de Compostela, he found his fit in Vigo by joining the B team in 2013 and later moving to the senior squad.

On the horizon, Borja Iglesias sticks with the Vigo lineage in light blue. His path began at Conxo and took him through Valencia’s youth setup, Villarreal, and finally a rise into the senior squad. The journey mirrors a persistent push to excel, shaping a career that links regional roots with national ambitions.

Iago and Borja in Celta

The group of young players turned Desiigner’s Panda into a locker room anthem, and Borja earned the nickname. Between 2013 and 2018 he stayed with the cerulean club, making his first-team debut on January 3, 2015, at Pizjuán against Sevilla. He broke many youth records, finishing as the top scorer in Segunda B with thirty-two goals in 2016-17. During those years, Aspas had just returned from Liverpool and Sevilla, while Joselu continued his career in Germany and England.

After a season on loan in Zaragoza where he scored twenty-three goals, Espanyol paid a release fee and signed a four-year contract in 2018. A single summer later Betis invested heavily to sign him, continuing his ascent as a prolific striker.

Iago, Borja and Joselu in the national team picture

Today, three Galician talents from Celta finally earned spots with the national team and acknowledged the abundance of goals in the region. Borja Iglesias spoke highly of Iago and Joselu, praising Aspas as a Galician football icon and a benchmark for players across Galicia and beyond. The sentiment echoed: Luis de la Fuente’s Spain benefits from this strong local talent and the clear influence of Galician football across the national team.