Raul Gonzalez was born on June 27, 1977. This is one of the most famous Spanish footballers who currently stands for a club like New York Cosmos. For 16 years he played for Real Madrid, and it was during these years that he became popular. His biography is interesting and rich, so it’s worth telling more about her.
Childhood
Raul Gonzalez grew up in the Madrid environs, namely in Marconi da San Cristobal de los Angeles. Here is a long name for his native settlement. The boy's father was an ardent fan of FC Atletico Madrid. Looking ahead, I would like to say that Raul fulfilled his parent's unspoken dream and from 1990 to 1992 played for this team as a player in the youth squad. For these two years he was one of the best students of the Atlético Academy. With his game and skills, the boy hit all the coaches. At first glance it was clear - this is a truly promising footballer who will show a lot in the future.
Raul himself wanted to be an excellent professional in terms of football, dreamed of becoming a recognized striker. And I did not have to wait long for recognition. Raul González, whose age at that time was 15 years old, came into the view of the scouts of Real Madrid. They immediately identified his abilities and talent. Representatives of the most famous Spanish club made an offer to the young striker, and without hesitation, he moved to Real Madrid, where he began playing for the youth team.
The beginning of a professional career
In 1994, Raul González signed his first professional contract with Real Madrid. But the main part of it “started” not immediately. The coach considered it right to wait a while for the young man to gain experience in a team where adults play. The playing practice of a football player was important to him. So during the year Raul had to play for the second and third teams. There he played 8 matches and scored as many as 16 goals! Twice as many as the games themselves! Looking at such successes, the coach decided to transfer the young man to the first team and began to use his abilities and undoubted talent. And this player has always been and remains a key striker - no matter which leader comes to the club. The dream of a once-little boy came true. He really became a legendary scorer. And everyone recognized this.
Play style
Raul Gonzalez, like any other player, has his own individual style, which he adheres to while holding the ball. His main position can be any. There are three options: he is either insider, or “drawn forward”, or “under the striker”. Pretty interesting position for a football player, isn't it? But, despite this, he ranks second in the ranking of the best scorers in the history of the Spanish team. And Gonzalez prefers to act in the game because it is more convenient for him to cope with the ball. In addition, in this way he gives more space and space to his attack partners.
About goals scored
On March 8, 2008, footballer Raul González scored the 200th goal in La Liga. This was his personal achievement regarding the top Spanish division and the gaming career as a whole. Having scored a goal against opponents (who were the players of “Seville”), he took second place among the best Spanish scorers (this achievement was mentioned above). So he caught up with Alfredo Di Stefano - a real legend of football. And a little later, on February 15, 2009, another feat was made by Raul Gonzalez. The goals he scored earlier were significant, but this one became really important for him. Because by rolling the ball into the goal of “Sporting”, he won the status of the best scorer in the history of Real Madrid. Thus, he even beat Alfred Di Stefano. And no wonder. After all, on his account - 323 goals in official matches. And if you take into account comradely - then 361.
Go to Schalke
In 2010, Raul was forced to leave his native club of Madrid. Due to age, of course. He could no longer give out the level of the game that he was capable of before. Because he decided to leave the team. The footballer notes that the years he spent at Real Madrid were wonderful, assures that he will remain a faithful “Madrid player” for life. “The captain's armband in such a club is a great honor. But I was looking for something else. It would be possible to stay, but then I would not enjoy football, ”- these are the words of Raoul, uttered by him before leaving.
So in 2010, he decided to move to Germany and play for Schalke 04. Raul Gonzalez spent two years there. How many goals did he get for this German club? Less, of course, than for Madrid. A man went out onto the field 66 times and scored 28 goals in them. But with his goals he repeatedly helped out a new team. Raul scored in the Bundesliga and in the European championships, which made him a favorite of Schalke fans.
Al-Sadd and New York Cosmos
In 2012, Raul signed a contract with the Qatari club Al-Sadd, taking the seventh number there. Most often, he could be seen as a midfielder. Moreover, as part of this team, he quickly took his place and was even appointed vice captain.
In 2013, on August 22, Raul played in his farewell match for Real Madrid. The first half of the match, that is, the first half, he was a player in the Spanish team. And even scored one goal - in the 23rd minute. And in the second half, he “turned” into a player of Al-Sadd. As a result, he won “Real with a crushing score of 5: 0.
Now many people are surprised to hear where Raul Gonzalez plays. Today he is a football player of FC “New York Cosmos”. For the American team, he played 26 matches and scored 7 goals. And now, just recently, in October of the same, 2015, year, Raul said that he had decided to end his career, and in November. That is, according to what is claimed, Gonzalez “hangs his boots on a nail” in a couple of weeks.
But he stopped playing for the national team a long time ago - 9 years ago. Gonzalez entered the field as part of the Spanish national team 102 times and scored 44 goals. Raul was considered the main scorer of the team, and his departure saddened many. But the player decided that it would be better.
About personal life and achievements
The wife of Raul Gonzalez is a former model, whose name is Mamen Sans. The couple has five children. Four boys (two of whom are twins) and daughter Maria, who was born in 2009. In addition to football, Raul has a hobby - reading books and listening to Spanish music. He also breathes unevenly towards hunting and bullfighting, but prefers only to observe from the side.
This footballer has achieved a lot. He became the six-time champion of Spain, the four-time winner of the Super Bowl and three-time - the Cup of the country. In addition, the Champions League also obeyed him three times. Twice he received the Intercontinental Cup and once - the UEFA trophy. He obeyed the Super Cup and the German Cup, he is the champion of Qatar. But there are also personal rewards. There are many more of them, and all can not be counted. After all, they number in the tens! He is a five-time footballer of the year in Spain, the best striker of the European season (three times recognized as such), is a member of symbolic teams, has a “Bronze Boot” and a trophy “Legend”, a prize “Pichichi”, is included in the FIFA-100 list, was awarded trophy Alfredo Di Stefano, received the prize "AC" as the best athlete of the year ... All of his achievements are really impossible to list. But even this short list makes it clear that Raul Gonzalez is truly a great football player!