José Callejón Explained

José Callejón
Upright:0.9
Full Name:José María Callejón Bueno[1]
Birth Date:11 February 1987
Birth Place:Motril, Spain
Height:1.78 m[2]
Position:Forward, winger
Currentclub:Marbella
Youthclubs1:Costa Tropical
Youthyears2:2002–2006
Youthclubs2:Real Madrid
Years1:2006–2007
Caps1:4
Goals1:0
Years2:2007–2008
Caps2:41
Goals2:21
Years3:2008–2011
Caps3:97
Goals3:10
Years4:2011–2013
Caps4:55
Goals4:8
Years5:2013–2020
Caps5:255
Goals5:64
Years6:2020–2022
Caps6:50
Goals6:1
Years7:2022–2024
Caps7:67
Goals7:4
Years8:2024–
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Nationalyears1:2008–2009
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2014–2017
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:23:34, 24 May 2024 (UTC)

José María Callejón Bueno (pronounced as /es/; born 11 February 1987) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Primera Federación club Marbella.

He began his career with the reserve teams of Real Madrid, but made a name for himself at Espanyol. In 2011 he returned to his previous club and, two years later, left for Napoli, where he won two Coppa Italia tournaments and the 2014 Supercoppa Italiana while appearing in 349 competitive matches (82 goals scored).

An under-21 international, Callejón made his senior debut for Spain in 2014.

Club career

Real Madrid

A product of Real Madrid youth ranks, Callejón was born in Motril, Granada, Andalusia. He made his professional debut for the reserves in May 2007,[3] and played five games in that season's Segunda División without scoring a goal.[4] [5]

In the 2007–08 campaign, Callejón appeared in 37 matches and netted 21 times, finishing as team top scorer but in the Segunda División B.[6] [7]

Espanyol

At the end of the season, Callejón left Real Madrid (with twin brother Juanmi) and signed a four-year contract with RCD Espanyol.[8] [9] He made his La Liga debut on 20 September 2008, as a late substitute in a 1–1 home draw against Getafe CF.[10]

On 15 March 2009, as Espanyol struggled immensely in the league – eventually ranking in tenth position – Callejón scored his first goal for the Catalans in a 3–3 home draw to RCD Mallorca.[11] He continued to be an undisputed starter under Mauricio Pochettino the following campaigns, operating mainly as a winger.[12]

On 15 January 2011, Callejón scored twice to help to a 2–1 away defeat of Sevilla FC.[13] He only missed one league game and netted six times for the Pericos, who finished comfortably in mid-table.[14]

Return to Real Madrid

On 23 May 2011, Callejón re-joined Real Madrid on a five-year deal effective as of 1 July, for a reported fee of €5.5 million.[15] On 16 July, he played his first match for them in a 4–1 friendly victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy, scoring the first goal of the game in the 30th minute.[16]

On 2 October 2011, Callejón netted his first official goal for Real Madrid after coming on midway through the second half of an away fixture against former club Espanyol; he scored from a Cristiano Ronaldo assist in an eventual 4–0 win but did not celebrate the goal, instead raising his arms in the air in a mark of respect for his former employer.[17]

Profiting from the fact that his team had already qualified from the UEFA Champions League group stage as leaders, Callejón was handed a rare start by manager José Mourinho on 22 November 2011, and responded by scoring a brace in a 6–2 home rout of NK Dinamo Zagreb.[18] He added another two in the last round, at AFC Ajax (3–0).[19]

As a starter, Callejón continued with his impressive scoring form: he scored once in a 6–2 away win over Sevilla on 17 December 2011,[20] and in the tie against SD Ponferradina for the season's Copa del Rey he netted three of his team's seven aggregate goals, one away and two at home.[21] [22]

On 14 January 2012, Callejón scored the winner in a 2–1 defeat of Mallorca, helping the visitors come from behind with his 84th-minute long-range strike.[23] He added another the following matchday, closing the score in a 4–1 home victory against Athletic Bilbao.[24]

Napoli

On 9 July 2013, Italian club SSC Napoli announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Callejón for €10 million.[25] [26] The four-year deal was confirmed two days later.[27]

Callejón scored in his Serie A debut on 25 August, netting the opener in a 3–0 home win over Bologna FC 1909,[28] and went on to find the net a further seven times in his first 20 official appearances. On 22 October, he scored his first goal in Europe for his new team, grabbing his team's first in a 2–1 victory at Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League group stage.[29]

On 3 May 2014, Callejón set up Dries Mertens for the third goal in a 3–1 win against ACF Fiorentina in the final of the Coppa Italia.[30] He scored once in the final game of the season, a 5–1 home rout of Hellas Verona FC on 18 May; his strike after five minutes was Napoli's 100th goal in all competitions that season, and his 20th overall.[31]

Callejón netted his first goal of 2014–15 on the opening day of the campaign, the opener in a 2–1 win over Genoa CFC.[32] His second came on 24 September, as he scored at the stroke of half-time to put his side up 3–2 against US Città di Palermo in an eventual 3–3 home draw.[33] On 19 October, he scored twice in a 2–2 draw at Inter Milan, with all four of the game's goals coming in the last 11 minutes.[34]

In the Derby del Sole match against A.S. Roma on 2 November 2014, Callejón hit the post and had a shot saved off the line before eventually finding the net late on in the 2–0 victory.[35] The strike took his league goal tally to eight on the season, two more than his closest competitors, and he was included in the Serie A Team of the Week lineup.[36]

On 17 September 2015, Callejón scored twice in Napoli's first game of the UEFA Europa League group stage, a 5–0 home rout of Club Brugge KV.[37] For the same competition, away to FC Midtjylland on 22 October, he volleyed a long pass from Kalidou Koulibaly to open a 4–1 victory; UEFA dubbed the latter effort an "early contender for goal of the group stage".[38]

Callejón marked his 200th appearance for the Azzurri with his 57th goal on 9 April 2017, in a 3–0 league win against SS Lazio.[39] His 300th came on 28 April 2019, in the 2–0 away victory over Frosinone Calcio.[40]

In August 2020, the 33-year-old Callejón left the Stadio San Paolo after his contract expired.[41]

Fiorentina

On 5 October 2020, Callejón agreed to a deal with Fiorentina.[42] He scored twice in competitive matches during his spell, once in the league against UC Sampdoria (3–1 home win)[43] and once in the domestic cup to help beat Calcio Padova 2–1 also at home.[44]

Granada

Callejón returned to Spain on 25 July 2022 after nine years away, signing a one-year contract with Granada CF with the option of an extension based on sporting performance.[45] He won the second tier in his first season, appearing in all 42 games.[46]

Later career

In July 2024, aged 37, Callejón joined Primera Federación club Marbella FC.[47]

International career

Callejón made his debut for the Spain under-21 team on 25 March 2008 against Kazakhstan in a 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier; he entered the field in the 46th minute after replacing Bojan Krkić, and scored shortly after in a 5–0 win.[48]

On 7 November 2014, Callejón was called up to the full side for the first time, being picked by Vicente del Bosque for matches against Belarus and Germany.[49] He made his debut on the 15th against the former, coming on for Santi Cazorla in the 69th minute of the 3–0 triumph in Huelva for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying phase.[50]

Style of play

A versatile, tenacious and hard-working right-footed player, Callejón was capable of playing anywhere along the front line, and was used as a forward or a winger on either flank, in the centre as an attacking midfielder and as a supporting striker. Although he usually occupied a position in or behind the main attacking line, due to his personality and ability to provide balance to his teams by linking-up play between the forwards and midfielders, he was also capable of playing in the centre as a main striker, and was also occasionally deployed in deeper roles under Mourinho during his time at Real Madrid, as a central midfielder or even as an attacking full-back or wing-back.

A quick, mobile and creative player, with good technical ability, Callejón was capable of both creating and scoring goals due to his powerful shot and excellent offensive movement off the ball, as demonstrated by his ability to lose his markers by make attacking runs in behind the defensive line and into the area from deeper or wider areas. He was also a good header of the ball, in spite of his average stature.[51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56]

Personal life

Callejón's twin brother Juanmi was also a footballer, and both were Real Madrid graduates.[57] [58]

On 6 November 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19.[59]

Career statistics

Club

[60]

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid B2006–07Segunda División50———50
2007–08Segunda División B3621———3621
Total4121———4121
Espanyol2008–09La Liga24262——304
2009–1036210——372
2010–1137620——396
Total971092——10612
Real Madrid2011–12La Liga2555355103613
2012–13303524220417
Total55810597307720
Napoli2013–14Serie A371553102—5220
2014–15381140161105912
2015–163872175—4713
2016–1737144281—4917
2017–18381020102—5012
2018–1934320111—474
2019–203345070—454
Total2556424669121034982
Fiorentina2020–21Serie A20021——221
2021–2230130——331
Total50151——552
Granada2022–23Segunda División42420——444
2023–24La Liga25011——261
Total67431——705
Career total5651085115781940695142

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[61]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain201420
201500
201610
201720
Total50

Honours

Real Madrid

2011–12[60]

2012[60]

Napoli

2013–14, 2019–20[62]

2014[60]

Granada

2022–23[63]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. News: Callejón. Diario AS. 4 November 2022.
  2. Web site: Josè Maria Callejon. SSC Napoli. it. 2 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181117130837/http://www.sscnapoli.it/Squadra/Jose-Maria-Callejon. 17 November 2018.
  3. Web site: Castilla 2–1 Málaga. Real Madrid CF. es. 5 May 2007. 21 June 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120219203116/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1202730486128/noticia/Noticia/Castilla_2-1_Malaga.htm. 19 February 2012.
  4. Web site: La última plantilla que descendió con el Castilla. ¿Qué fue de ellos?. The last squad to be relegated with Castilla. What happened to them?. Vavel. Balderas. Miguel Ángel. es. 26 November 2013. 20 January 2020.
  5. Web site: Player file: Callejón. Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional. es. 21 June 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010025357/http://www.lfp.es/historico/segunda/plantillas/partidos_jugados.asp?jug=2897&ntemp=2006-07&equ=01&temp=106. 10 October 2008.
  6. News: El 'pichichi', José Callejón, rescató un punto en el descuento para el filial. 'Pichichi', José Callejón, rescued one point in injury time for the reserves. Mundo Deportivo. Ramírez. Fidel. es. 28 April 2008. 14 July 2018.
  7. Web site: Stats: José María Callejón Bueno. Real Madrid CF. es. 21 June 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080719111252/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1193040472515/1193040943694/jugador/Jugador/Jose_Callejon.htm. 19 July 2008.
  8. Web site: Real Madrid and Espanyol reach an agreement for the transfer of Castilla's José Callejón. Real Madrid CF. 20 June 2008. 20 June 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080626095726/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202738224852/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/OFFICIAL_ANNOUNCEMENT_2008-06-20.htm. 26 June 2008.
  9. Web site: Espanyol sign Real Madrid B striker Callejón. Reuters. 18 June 2008. 18 June 2008. dead. https://archive.today/20121211215508/http://football.uk.reuters.com/european/news/455DB3FA-3D1A-11DD-BC18-D90C8CD11FD2.php?rpc=401&&refresh=true. 11 December 2012.
  10. News: El Espanyol reacciona a tiempo para guardar el liderato. Espanyol react on time to retain first place. El Confidencial. es. 20 September 2008. 3 May 2018.
  11. News: 3–3. El Espanyol más épico de la temporada se queda sin premio ante el Mallorca. 3–3. Most epic Espanyol of season do not have prize against Mallorca. Público. es. 15 March 2009. 3 May 2018.
  12. News: Callejón: "El gol me deja más tranquilo". Callejón: "Goal makes me more at ease". Sport. es. 15 February 2010. 3 May 2018.
  13. Web site: Callejon nets brace. ESPN Soccernet. 15 January 2011. 1 March 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628234705/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=301902&cc=5739. 28 June 2011.
  14. News: El Espanyol cambia dinero por goles. Espanyol trade money for goals. Mundo Deportivo. es. 4 September 2011. 3 May 2018.
  15. Web site: Jose Callejon to play for Real Madrid. Real Madrid CF. 23 May 2011. 23 May 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110526190753/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330059096711/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/Official_announcement%3A_Jose_Callejon_to_play_for_Real_Madrid.htm. 26 May 2011.
  16. Web site: LA Galaxy 1–4 Real Madrid. Major League Soccer. 16 July 2011. 17 July 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110720234459/http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-07-16-la-galaxy-vs-real-madrid/stats. 20 July 2011.
  17. Web site: Higuain gives Mourinho plenty to ponder. ESPN Soccernet. 2 October 2011. 2 October 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111005152304/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323973?cc=5739. 5 October 2011.
  18. Web site: Perfect Madrid put six past Dinamo. UEFA. Bryan. Paul. 22 November 2011. 22 November 2011.
  19. Web site: Ajax shattered as Madrid complete perfect set. UEFA. Brookman. Derek. 7 December 2011. 7 December 2011.
  20. Web site: Real rout Sevilla. ESPN Soccernet. 17 December 2011. 21 December 2011. dead. https://archive.today/20120722220859/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323882?cc=5739. 22 July 2012.
  21. News: Un chupito revitalizante. Invigorating shot. Marca. Friede. Sergio. es. 13 December 2011. 21 December 2011.
  22. News: El Madrid ficha hacia octavos. Madrid sign last-16. Marca. Friede. Sergio. es. 20 December 2011. 21 December 2011.
  23. Web site: Real survive scare to go clear. ESPN Soccernet. 14 January 2012. 20 January 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20120714174831/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323865&cc=5739. 14 July 2012.
  24. Web site: Real Madrid spot on. ESPN Soccernet. 22 January 2012. 24 January 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120128042352/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/324021?cc=5739. 28 January 2012.
  25. Web site: Real Madrid attacker Callejon set to join Napoli. Goal. Kvesa. Chris. 9 July 2013. 10 July 2013.
  26. Web site: Callejon è a Napoli. Callejon is in Naples. S.S.C Napoli. it. 10 July 2013. 10 July 2013.
  27. Web site: Napoli snap up Callejon. Goal. Fenn. Alec. 11 July 2013. 13 July 2013.
  28. News: Napoli-Bologna 3–0: apre Callejon, poi la doppietta di super Hamsik. Napoli-Bologna 3–0: Callejon starts it, then double by super Hamsik. La Gazzetta dello Sport. Bozza. Gennaro. it. 25 August 2013. 11 December 2013.
  29. Web site: Napoli make their mark in Marseille. UEFA. Burke. Chris. 22 October 2013. 27 October 2014.
  30. Web site: Coppa Italia final: Rafael Benitez's Napoli beat Fiorentina 3–1. BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. 13 May 2014.
  31. Web site: Five-star finish for Napoli. Sky Sports. 18 May 2014. 19 May 2014.
  32. Web site: Genoa 1–2 Napoli. ESPN FC. 31 August 2014. 19 October 2014.
  33. Web site: Napoli 3–3 Palermo. ESPN FC. 24 September 2014. 19 October 2014.
  34. Web site: Hernanes header helps Inter Milan to a 2–2 draw with Napoli. ESPN FC. 19 October 2014. 19 October 2014.
  35. News: Gonzalo Higuaín keeps rolling for Napoli in 'match of fear' against Roma. The Guardian. Bandini. Paolo. 3 November 2014. 4 November 2014.
  36. Web site: Serie A 2014–15: Team Of The Week – Round 10. Forza Italian Football. 3 November 2014. 4 November 2014.
  37. Web site: Sparkly Napoli flatten Club Brugge. UEFA. 17 September 2015. 23 October 2015.
  38. Web site: Sparkling Napoli finishes flatten Midtjylland. UEFA. 22 October 2015. 23 October 2015.
  39. Web site: Serie A Week 31: Did You Know?. Football Italia. Campanale. Susan. 10 April 2017. 20 April 2017.
  40. Web site: Napoli fans reject Callejon shirt. Football Italia. Campanale. Susy. 28 April 2019. 28 April 2019.
  41. Web site: Napoli bid farewell to Callejon. Football Italia. Campanale. Susy. 9 August 2020. 2 June 2023.
  42. Web site: Callejon completes Fiorentina move. ACF Fiorentina. 5 October 2020. 6 November 2020.
  43. News: Fiorentina-Sampdoria 3–1: Callejon, Vlahovic e Sottil ribaltano i blucerchiati. Fiorentina-Sampdoria 3–1: Callejon, Vlahovic and Sottil take blue-circled down. La Repubblica. Luchini. Giacomo. it. 30 November 2021. 26 July 2022.
  44. Web site: Calcio: Coppa Italia; Fiorentina-Padova 2–1. Football: Italian Cup; Fiorentina-Padova 2–1. Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata. it. 28 October 2020. 26 July 2022.
  45. Web site: Comunicado oficial José Callejón, nuevo jugador del Granada CF. Official statement José Callejón, new Granada CF player. Granada CF. es. 25 July 2022. 25 July 2022.
  46. Web site: Callejón, el hijo pródigo que ha cumplido la misión. Callejón, the prodigal son who got job done. Granada en Juego. Azcoytia. Jorge. es. 5 July 2023. 5 September 2023.
  47. News: José Callejón ficha por el Marbella. José Callejón signs for Marbella. Infobae. es. 23 July 2024. 25 July 2024.
  48. Web site: Spain 5–0 Kazakhstan. UEFA. 25 March 2008. 20 June 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080520104210/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round%3D15084/match%3D300312/report%3Dev.html. 20 May 2008.
  49. Web site: Official: 23-man squad for the matches against Belarus and Germany. Royal Spanish Football Federation. 7 November 2014. 7 November 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141107173850/http://www.sefutbol.com/en/official-23-man-squad-matches-against-belarus-and-germany. 7 November 2014.
  50. Web site: Much-changed Spain dominate Belarus. UEFA. Hunter. Graham. 15 November 2014. 15 November 2014.
  51. News: Napoli, ecco Callejon: il pupillo di Mourinho. Napoli, this is Callejón: Mourinho's pupil. Corriere dello Sport. Salvione. Pasquale. it. 1 July 2013. 20 April 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161007001036/http://www.corrieredellosport.it/calcio/calcio_mercato/2013/07/01-326885/Napoli,+ecco+Callejon%3A+il+pupillo+di+Mourinho. 7 October 2016.
  52. Web site: Iturbe, Callejon, Gervinho: le tre migliori sorprese della Serie A. Iturbe, Callejón, Gervinho: the three best surprises in Serie A. Calcio Mercato. Terenziani. Giovanni Battista. it. 14 October 2013. 20 April 2015.
  53. News: Napoli, lo strano caso Callejon: per Sarri indispensabile, inutile al fantacalcio. Napoli, the curious case of Callejon: indispensable for Sarri, useless in fantasy football. La Gazzetta dello Sport. Pinna. Roberto. it. 27 November 2015. 17 October 2017.
  54. News: Da Candreva a Mertens fino a Ljajic Così gli esterni spostano gli equilibri. From Candreva to Mertens all the way to Ljajic This is how wingers turn the tide. Corriere della Sera. Bocci. Alessandro. it. 1 January 2017. 24 July 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20171017214445/http://www.corriere.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2016-2017/notizie/da-candreva-mertens-fino-ljajic-cosi-esterni-spostano-equilibri-d23d3e50-d05d-11e6-a287-5b1c5604d8ca.shtml. 17 October 2017.
  55. Web site: Three key Partenopei men to watch out for. Juventus F.C. 22 May 2015. 6 January 2018.
  56. Web site: Callejon: 'I'll play centre-forward'. Football Italia. Campanale. Susy. 26 September 2017. 6 January 2018.
  57. News: José y Juanmi Callejón, dos gemelos y diez goles. José and Juanmi Callejón, two twins and ten goals. Diario AS. Catalán. José Vicente. es. 6 December 2007. 13 November 2020.
  58. Web site: Los gemelos Callejón, hermanos pero rivales en el terreno de juego. Callejón twins, brothers but rivals on the pitch. Join Futbol. es. 22 October 2008. 10 July 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131128111732/http://www.joinfutbol.com/es/los_gemelos_callejon_hermanos_pero_rivales_en_el_terreno_de_juego_16666.php. 28 November 2013.
  59. Web site: Medical report: Callejon. ACF Fiorentina. 6 November 2020. 6 November 2020.
  60. Web site: José Callejón. Soccerway. 23 April 2019.
  61. Web site: José Callejón. EU-Football.info. 22 November 2017.
  62. Web site: Napoli 0–0 Juventus. BBC Sport. 17 June 2020. 18 June 2020.
  63. News: Paco López no recuerda algo igual. Paco López does not remember anything like this. Estadio Deportivo. Arenillas. Álvaro. es. 27 May 2023. 2 June 2023.
  64. News: Callejón debutará en el Bernabéu en su tercer 'intento'. Callejón will make Bernabéu debut on his third 'attempt'. Diario AS. Molero. Iván. es. 21 September 2010. 13 November 2020.
  65. Web site: Italy – Coppa Italia Top Scorers. RSSSF. Di Maggio. Roberto. Rota. Davide. 4 June 2015. 15 June 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151029033413/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/italcuptops.html. 29 October 2015.
  66. Web site: Statistics. ESPN FC. 22 May 2017.

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