21 years ago , intending to use striker Raul Gonzalez bamboo shoots has been promoted from youth team coach has flashed in my head at the time of Real Madrid , Jorge Valdano . But he still hesitated and decided to refer to directly feel the 17 -year-old teenager . Not hesitate , Raul frankly : " If he wants to win , he will play. Otherwise , he just used someone else "
On the bus to move to the match in round 9 1994/95 La Liga season, the sleep Raul seemed no big deal. Confidence is so, but when entering the game, the fact that he did not play well, missed chances to score and sometimes releasing his shot quite ridiculous. Real's Raul eventually fell 2-3 away to Zaragoza. But that merely debut not very smooth only. Failure that day turned out to be tremendous lessons for "The Little Prince to Madrid" to refer only next week when the teams last met Atletico Madrid city that he lived through two years of collective business youth (1990-1992), Raul has improved clarity when recording 1 goal, 1 penalty for the contribution to Real's 4-2 victory. Raul should not pity anyone, just give him a chance like Madrid derby and he was rewarded.
At first glance the rehearsal , no one thought players were later dubbed the " Lord of the Rings " Raul ( mainly due to the action familiar goal celebration by a kiss on the ring ) possesses outstanding talent . Former assistant coach Angel Cappa Real is said : " Raul is a surprise to us . He advanced slowly , running slow , can not compete bubble , stopped nothing special. " But who's worked with top players born in 1977 also did not forget to add : " As the game officially started , everything changed , he led the ball well , through good , solid finish in every private pole card. Raul is a perfect player , which is rare in the world of football " .
Raul days a proven character , willpower and inner resources to overcome their own limitations . He loves football and is passionate way. Between the outside and a Raul Raul on the pitch has a significant degree of mismatch . He is a simple , humble life , but when entering the field usually is a warrior with the fire always burning passion . Main Raul has also admitted that " Football is my life and the pitch is the place to enjoy it. "
Love with the ball and Raul helped Real have 16 -year period remain the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium , an achievement not easy . Here, he was captain and earned all the highest honors at club level including six La Liga , three Champions League , two Intercontinental Cup ... He is currently playing the most games players Real ( 741 ) and also served as the greatest scorer in the history of the club until he was overcome juniors Cristiano Ronaldo this season . Key Ronaldo , who notoriously arrogant have had to say , " For me , Raul has always been No. 1. "
Just a pity that the international career of the legendary Raul Gonzalez was not as successful as expected. At the apogee of the strikers have this magical left foot fall at Spain only the nickname "King qualifier " only. During the World Cup 3 , 2 Euro period attendance, the highest achievement La Furia Roja His last reached the quarter-finals just the big leagues . Team decided to split up in 2008 after the incumbent coach Luis Aragones estrangement has created a huge controversy even divisive both Spanish country when people said , " The Sage " did not want to call Real captain for fear of touching the interests of Barcelona players in the recruitment group (who was the core and make up the majority ) .
Still, with 102 caps and scored 44 goals, Raul is still worthy of the fine from the rival-cum-teammate for Pep Guardiola: "The most important players in the history of Spanish football" and received the consent of the people. In the land of bullfighting, the great Real Madrid legend has never won the Golden Ball, the title of highest individual with a player is a scandal, a great indignation. Michael Owen, a former star of Real before this ever popular in Spain simply because he was considered a usurper. According to many people, it's true that the 2001 Golden Ball (then the correct name is the European Golden Ball voting by journalists, completely separate from the title of best player of the FIFA world) that England striker Raul has been to be, that is justice to be implemented.
But despite all the honors now Raul is not as personal level , he is still a hero in the hearts of fans only by a cross-cutting perspective : " I want to be remembered as a collective player " . In staging copy of " Milky Way " Real ago, though no technical Raul Ultimate Zidane , no blow away the ball as Ronaldo mesmerizing , not as fast as Owen , not shiny like Beckham ... but there is always room standing at the club and in the hearts of Madridista by loyalty , devotion . As the former coach of the Los Blancos Valdano said : " Raul is synonymous with Real , is the face of the club for 25 years . English absolute commitment , effort above all , extremely professional every day of his life . "
From 1995 until 2004 , when Raul has not scored less than 20 goals per season at Real . At age 38 , he scored the decisive help New York Cosmos beat Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the semifinals NASL North American Championships , is creating for teammates to score 3-1 Ottawa Fury in the final . 22nd trophy of his career in the United States is winning the happy ending to the legendary career of Raul but fans still believe he can do more than that . Time has taken away the " Lord of the Rings " played many qualities but the passion and the love is still there with the ball . The Madridista confident even when it comes to the Bernabeu Raul Shoe El Clasico with Barcelona rocks this weekend , still no one despise . He just simple , so simple , so we were worried world .
But unfortunately it is only a dream , it has lasted for 21 years and now is time to end us back to reality. Prince Goodbye !
