RAUL GONZALEZ

TEAMS PLAYED FOR
 
Real Madrid (Spain): 1994 - present

BIO

Raul Gonzalez, or simply Raul, was born on June 27, 1977 in Madrid, Spain.  Today, Raul is widely seen as one of the best strikers in the world.  Everyone is looking to achieve a balance in their lives, be it financial, professional or personal stability.  Success that Raul has achieved today is somehow balancing his poor past.  Having exchanged his parent’s tiny house for a huge villa in one of the most prestigious parts of Madrid, he could not stop talking to the reporters about how big his bedroom was.  Now he was happy as he could turn on the electricity whenever he wanted without being scolded by his father.
Raul lived in the family of five including his mother, father, a brother and a sister.  Most of Raul’s young life his family was trying to make the end meet living off his father electrician’s small salary.  Because of this, his parents could not pay to have him sent to the soccer academy, which was the boy’s dream.  Even when he did try out for a kid’s team, the coaches did not accept him saying that he was too small and skinny.  The boy gave himself a word, that no matter what, he will gain weight even though his parents could not afford much food.
Time went by and scouts started noticing Raul on the field while playing for children’s teams.  His idol was Maradona and he tried to imitate him on the field.  As a result, he was able to perform miracles with the ball which sometimes stunned even his fellow players.  Raul was invited to play for Atletico Madrid youth team, however that didn’t last long because the youth team club was closed due to the financial problems.
The boy did not lose hope and decided to try out for Atletico city rivals, one of the greatest teams in the world, Real Madrid.  The first game Raul played for Real Madrid youth team was against Alcala in 1992.  Real won the game 5:0 without any difficulties and Raul scored one of the goals which happened to be his first goal for the team.  Raul barely remembers that game, but his youth coach Antonio Kirogi remembers it very well: “It seems like from the very beginning of his career at Real, he became the team leader”, says the coach.  “I knew right then and there that this 15 year old boy has a potential to be a great player.  Although he was better than most of his fellow players, he never made it known and always was humble to everyone around him”.   

CLUB CAREER

The first game for Real Madrid Raul played on October 29^th, 1994 against Saragosa.  The day before the game, Jorge Valdano, Real coach at the time told Raul: “Don’t pass out but tomorrow will be your first game”.  The coach expected to see fear and apprehension in boy’s eyes, but saw sheer determination and confidence. 
After that game Raul became one of the main players on the team.  Largely because of his efforts and goal scoring ability, Real Madrid once again became one of the greatest teams in the world by winning the Champions League and Intercontinental Cup.   
Raul’s fame was growing… until one day when he stopped scoring.  It was really strange and no one could explain why.  People started talking about Raul’s lack of commitment to the team and that he wasn’t trying hard any more.  Raul stopped giving interviews and talking to the fans.  He started spending more and more time at night clubs with questionable friends.  According to rumors, he started using alcohol and drugs.  To overcome his depression, Raul hired psychologists… nothing helped.  Until one day when he met Mamen Sanz, a Spanish model.  Their attraction was instant and the player completely changed.  He seemed to grow up overnight, got his confidence back.  As a result he started playing even better than before and returned to his high scoring days.  This is where his signature goal celebration comes from.  After scoring each goal, Raul kisses his ring finger as a sign of gratitude to his wife.  

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

       

Raúl began his rise in the international scene with the youth teams and was chosen to represent Spain at the 1995 FIFA Youth World Cup.  He has scored a national record 44 goals in 102 caps for Spain.  Raul participated in three World Cups – 1998, 2002 and 2006 along with Euro 2000 and 2004.  He was not chosen to play for Spain during 2008 Euro tournament which the team won

PERSONAL INFO

Raul is very aggressive on the field but is complete opposite in real life.  He is shy and quiet and you will hardly ever find any information on him in tabloids.  All his spare time he likes to spend with his family, doing “family things”.  He is very modest and you will not find any fancy cars in his garage.  He has a lot of friends, likes movies, books and hunting. Raul likes to give out autographs.  One time Michael Jordan asked for Raul’s autograph through their common friends.  Raul though it was a joke, but when he figure it out, he signed his Real Madrid jersey” To Michael Jordan, the greatest athlete of all times.  Your humble fan, Raul Gonzalez”

       

TITLES AND AWARDS

Real Madrid

La Liga: 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008

Spanish Super Cup: 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008

UEFA Champions League: 1998, 2000, 2002

UEFA Super Cup: 2002

Intercontinental Cup: 1998, 2002

All time top scorer as of 2009

International

FIFA World Player of the Year (third place): 2001

UEFA Player of the Year (second place): 2001

FIFA 100