Five fascinating facts about recently retired Raul Gonzalez

Raul began life with his local side San Cristobal before heading into Atleti’s youth system, where he spent two years before it was shut down by the then-president Jesus Gil as a cost-saving method. The Spain striker then switched to Real’s academy, going on to do quite well in the senior ranks.

Highest scoring Spaniard ever in European leagues

With 256 goals during his clinical time in the Spanish and German top-flight divisions, Raul is the deadliest marksman bearing from his native homeland in Europe’s top leagues, after 228 strikes in La Liga and 28 in the Bundesliga.

Most-capped player in Real Madrid history

Despite losing his all-time goals record to Portuguese superstar Ronaldo this year, Raul still possesses the club’s most ever appearances, having donned the famous Madrid colours on 741 occasions.

This achievement can be put into simple context by the club icons who he surpassed during that sensational record of outings, with Iker Casillas second and Manolo Sanchis third-place in those listings as other former heroes.

Only three-time FIFA Club Forward of the Year winner

Raul’s list of silverware success is truly remarkable, having lifted the Champions League three times for Los Blancos, as well as six domestic crowns and four Spanish Super Cups.

He, of course, managed to win two cup competitions for Schalke and continued his success later on in his career, securing the Qatar Stars League with Al Sadd and NASL Spring Season 2015 with New York Cosmos.

Although, his personal accolades were impressive too, with the Spaniard being the only ever player voted as FIFA Club Forward of the Year (most prolific striker in European competition) three times in 2000, 2001 and 2002, during his most deadly days at Real.

Over 1000 professional career appearances

Featuring in Spain, Germany, Qatar and most recently America, Raul incredibly racked-up over 1000 appearances throughout his career for clubs and country, a truly superb achievement for this symbolic striker, who will go down as one of the greats after retiring later this year.

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