Before joining Real Madrid in 1992, Raul Gonzalez Blanco (Raul’s full name) spent 2 years as a young player at Atletico Madrid’s training academy.
After 2 years playing for Real Madrid’s youth team and reserve team, Raul made his official debut for the Royal Spanish team on October 29, 1994. This was an away game for the Galacticos and youngster Raul Gonzalez set up a goal for senior Ivan Zamorano in his first La Liga game.
A week later, Raul put his name on the scoreboard with a goal against his old team Atletico Madrid in a derby between the two Madrid clubs.
Coach Jorge Valdano is a great teacher who helped Raul Gonzalez’s career lay the first bricks at the Santiago Bernabeu, he is also a big fan of the Spanish striker.
In the 1994/1995 season, “Lord of the Rings” scored a total of 9 goals in 28 appearances and he and Real Madrid won the La Liga title at the end of this season, this is also the first title of Raul Gonzalez with the team. Madrid football team.
The Spanish striker had his first appearance in the Champions League arena in the 1995/1996 season in a match against Juventus club (Italy).
Raul Gonzalez is becoming more and more mature in the attack of Los Blancos.
Coach Fabio Capello is a teacher who has had a lot of influence on the career of the Real Madrid legend.
Gonzalez and Fernando Morientes became a close match on the attack of “White Vulture”. The duo contributed greatly to Real Madrid’s 1998 Champions League victory and this was also the first European Cup in the career of “Lord of the Rings”.
The Intercontinental Cup was brought to the showroom of Real Madrid after Raul scored the finishing goal of Vasco da Gama (Brazil) in 1998.
In 2000, Raul Gonzalez continued to show his great goal-scoring grace when scoring 3-0 in the Champions League Final against Valencia. This is the second European Cup that “Lord of the Rings” has won with Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane’s beautiful volley brought Real Madrid to the throne again in Europe in 2002 and for Raul personally, he had his third taste on the top of the Old Continent.
In 2003, Real Madrid’s captaincy was handed over to the “Lord of the Rings” and this honor lasted until Raul left the Bernabeu in 2010.
Despite playing successfully at club level, in the Spain team, Raul did not reap any titles. At Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, “Gaurs” both stopped quite early. The appearance of Mr. Aragones made Raul gradually lose the opportunity to be recruited.
In the summer of 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Man Utd and Raul Gonzalez found a suitable partner after Morienstes.
In 2010, Raul’s career at the Bernabeu came to an end. Accordingly, his number 7 shirt was transferred to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has just surpassed Raul himself to become the player with the most goals in the history of the Royal Spanish team.
After parting with the Spanish club, Raul Gonzalez did not rest, but he continued to look for a new challenge in the Bundesliga in the shirt of Schalke 04. “Lord of the Rings” quickly became a key element of the Rhur team when scored 40 goals in 2 seasons playing here.
Raul contributed greatly to Schalke’s 2011 National Cup and German Super Cup championships. He also carried the German team to the semi-finals of the Champions League 2010/2011. Only playing for 2 years in Germany, but Raul Gonzalez has won the hearts of many fans here.
Leaving Schalke, “Lord of the Rings” chose Al-Sadd Middle East club as the next stop in his career.
And the famous striker continued to reap glory with 2 titles Qatar Stars League (2012/13) and Emir of Qatar Cup (2014) in just 2 years.
In 2014, Raul followed in the footsteps of “Football King” Pele and “Emperor” Franz Beckenbauer to join the New York Cosmos, the American 2nd division team (NASL).
On November 16, 2015, Raul helped the New York Cosmos beat Ottawa Fury 3-2 in the NASL final. This is also the last match in Raul’s playing career, because then he officially announced his retirement.
Raul played over 1,000 matches for club and national team. He scored a total of 432 goals and won 23 collective titles.