Raúl (footballer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Raúl

Raúl in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Raúl González Blanco
Date of birth	(1977-06-27) 27 June 1977 (age 48)
Place of birth	Madrid, Spain
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Youth career
1987–1990	San Cristóbal
1990–1992	Atlético Madrid
1992–1994	Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994	Real Madrid C	9	(16)
1994	Real Madrid B	1	(0)
1994–2010	Real Madrid	550	(228)
2010–2012	Schalke 04	66	(28)
2012–2014	Al Sadd	39	(11)
2014–2015	New York Cosmos	28	(8)
Total		693	(291)
International career
1994	Spain U18	2	(4)
1995	Spain U20	5	(3)
1995–1996	Spain U21	9	(8)
1996	Spain U23	4	(2)
1996–2006	Spain	102	(44)
Managerial career
2019–2025	Real Madrid Castilla
Medal record Men's football Representing  Spain UEFA European Under-21 Championship Runner-up 1996 Spain
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Raúl González Blanco, known simply as Raúl, is a famous Spanish football player and manager. He was born on June 27, 1977, in Madrid, Spain. Raúl played as a forward and is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time. He recently managed Real Madrid Castilla, which is the reserve team for the famous club Real Madrid.

During his amazing career, Raúl was the top scorer for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team at the same time. He also scored the most goals in the UEFA Champions League for a period. Raúl played in over 1,000 matches throughout his career, which is a huge achievement!

He spent 16 years playing for Real Madrid, becoming the player with the most appearances for the club (741 games). With Real Madrid, he won many important trophies. These include six La Liga titles (Spain's top league), three Champions League titles, and two Intercontinental Cups. In 2001, he was the runner-up for the Ballon d'Or award, which is given to the best player in Europe. Two years later, he became the captain of Real Madrid.

Raúl left Real Madrid in 2010, having scored 323 goals for them. He then played for Bundesliga team Schalke 04 in Germany. There, he won a DFB-Pokal (German Cup) and a DFL-Supercup. After Germany, he played for Al Sadd in Qatar and then the New York Cosmos in the United States. For Spain, Raúl scored 44 goals in 102 games. He is seen as one of Spain's best players ever. He played for Spain in three FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships. He was even named in the Euro Team of the Tournament in 2000. He became the captain of the national team in 2002 and stopped playing for Spain in 2006.

Raúl is one of the most successful players in Champions League history. He was named the UEFA Club Forward of the Year three years in a row (2000, 2001, and 2002). He was also the top goalscorer in the Champions League in 2000 and 2001. In 1999, he was named the top international goalscorer in the world. Other awards he won include two Pichichi trophies (for being the top scorer in La Liga) and the Best Player award at the 1998 Intercontinental Cup. In 2004, he was included in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Youth Teams

Raúl started his football journey at his local team, CD San Cristóbal de los Ángeles. He then joined Atlético Madrid's youth team and won a national title with them. However, Atlético's president decided to close their youth academy. So, Raúl moved to Real Madrid's youth academy, known as La Fábrica. While playing for Real Madrid's youth teams, Raúl won the Dallas Cup twice, in 1993 and 1994.

Becoming a Real Madrid Star

Raúl playing for Real Madrid in 1995

Raúl began his professional career in the 1994–95 season with Real Madrid C. He scored an amazing 16 goals in just nine games! Because of this, he was quickly moved up to the first team by coach Jorge Valdano. He became the youngest player ever to play for Real Madrid's senior team at 17 years and 124 days old. This record was later broken by another player.

On October 29, 1994, Raúl played his first game for the senior team. The next week, he scored his first goal in his second game, which was a home match against Real Madrid's rivals, Atlético Madrid. He quickly became a key player for the team. In his first season, he scored nine goals in 28 games, helping Real Madrid win the league championship.

Raúl wore the number 7 shirt for Real Madrid between 1996 and 2010.

With Real Madrid, Raúl won many more titles. He helped them win La Liga in 1997, 2001, and 2003. Between 1998 and 2002, Raúl and Real Madrid also won three UEFA Champions League trophies. During this time, Raúl formed a great scoring partnership with other famous players like Fernando Morientes and Ronaldo.

In a big game against rivals Barcelona in 1999, Raúl scored a goal and famously put his finger to his lips to quiet the loud crowd. In 2003, he became the captain of Real Madrid and remained captain until he left the club in 2010. Even though he played in two finals, Raúl never won the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup).

Raúl was the first player to score 50 Champions League goals. He was also the first player to play in 100 Champions League games. He was also the first player to score in two Champions League finals since the competition was renamed. He scored in the finals of 2000 and 2002.

A remarkable fact about Raúl is that he was never sent off (received a red card) in his 17 years as a professional player! On November 11, 2008, Raúl scored his 300th goal for Real Madrid. In total, he scored 323 goals for Real Madrid, breaking the club record held by Alfredo Di Stéfano. He is currently fifth on the list of all-time La Liga goalscorers.

Raúl gets substituted for Cristiano Ronaldo, who would inherit the number 7 in the following season.

Raúl's last goal for Real Madrid was on April 24, 2010, in a 2–1 win against Real Zaragoza. He had to leave the game due to an injury right after scoring. After recovering from his injury, Real Madrid announced on July 25, 2010, that Raúl would be leaving the club.

Playing for Schalke 04

Raúl in a training session with Schalke 04 in August 2011

On July 28, 2010, Raúl signed a two-year contract with German club Schalke 04. He chose Schalke because they had qualified for the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League. He scored his first goals for Schalke in a pre-season tournament, scoring twice against Bayern Munich. He scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 4–0 win over Werder Bremen.

Raúl with Schalke in 2011

On May 21, 2011, Raúl finally won a domestic cup, the 2010–11 DFB-Pokal (German Cup), with Schalke. This was a special moment because he had never won a domestic cup with Real Madrid. Two months later, they also won the 2011 DFL-Supercup.

Raúl became the highest goal scorer in all UEFA club competitions with 73 goals. He scored 71 goals in the Champions League (66 with Real Madrid and five with Schalke 04). He broke the record previously held by German legend Gerd Müller. Schalke reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history with Raúl.

On April 19, 2012, Raúl announced he would leave Schalke after his contract ended in June. He said his future was not in Europe. Schalke even decided to retire his number 7 shirt for a while because of his big impact on the club.

Adventures in Qatar and the USA

Raúl playing for Al Sadd in 2012

On May 12, 2012, Raúl signed with Qatari club Al Sadd. He became the team captain and helped Al Sadd win the 2012–13 Qatar Stars League title, their first in five years. He scored 9 goals in 22 games that season. In 2013, he also received the Fair Play Award.

On August 22, 2013, Raúl played a special game. He played the first half for Real Madrid in the Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu and even scored a goal! Then, he played the second half for Al Sadd. On March 5, 2014, Raúl announced he would retire from professional football at the end of the Qatari season.

However, Raúl returned to football on October 30, 2014, signing with the New York Cosmos in the United States. He made his debut on April 4, 2015. He scored his first goal the following week. Raúl helped the Cosmos win the spring season of the NASL.

On October 16, 2015, Raúl announced he would retire for good at the end of that season. The Cosmos finished with the best regular season record. On November 7, he scored the winning goal in the semi-finals, helping his team reach the Soccer Bowl 2015, which they won 3–2. Raúl officially retired after this victory.

Playing for Spain

Raúl started playing for Spain's youth teams. He scored three goals in five matches at the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also played for the under-21 team that reached the final of the 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. In total, he scored 17 goals for Spain's youth teams.

For the senior national team, Raúl scored a national record of 44 goals in 102 games for Spain. This record was later broken by David Villa. Raúl is still considered one of Spain's greatest players ever.

World Cup and Euro Appearances

On October 9, 1996, Raúl made his debut for the Spanish senior team. In his third game, he scored his first international goal. At the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Raúl played in every match and scored a goal against Nigeria.

In 1999, during qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2000, Raúl scored four goals in Spain's 9–0 win over Austria. A few days later, he scored three goals against San Marino. Raúl played every minute of Spain's Euro 2000 tournament. He scored against Slovenia. Spain was knocked out by France in the quarter-finals, and Raúl missed a penalty kick that could have tied the game.

At the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, Raúl scored in Spain's first game against Slovenia. He added two more goals against South Africa. However, he got a groin injury and missed the rest of the tournament. Spain was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

In 2003, Raúl broke the national goalscoring record, scoring twice against Germany. He played in every match at the UEFA Euro 2004 finals in Portugal, where Spain was eliminated in the group stage.

Raúl played his 100th game for Spain on August 15, 2006. He was last chosen for the national team on September 6, 2006.

Managerial Career

Coaching Real Madrid Youth Teams

On August 17, 2018, Raúl became a youth coach at Real Madrid, taking charge of the under-15 team.

Managing Real Madrid Castilla

On June 20, 2019, he was appointed manager of Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team. His first game was a 1–1 draw.

Raúl's team reached the promotion playoffs in 2021 but lost in the semi-finals. He also managed the Real Madrid U19 team as a caretaker in 2020, winning the UEFA Youth League with them.

In 2023, Castilla again made the playoffs for promotion. They drew 3–3 in the final, but the other team won promotion because they had a better regular season finish. Raúl left his role as Castilla manager on May 27, 2025.

Player Style and Recognition

How Raúl Played

Raúl executing a bicycle kick for Real Madrid in 2009

Raúl is known as one of the greatest forwards of all time. He usually wore the number 7 jersey. He mainly played as a centre-forward, but he could also play as a "number 10" (an attacking midfielder behind the main strikers). Raúl was left-footed and could score goals from anywhere. He often scored with clever "chips" over the goalkeeper. He was excellent at controlling the ball, had great vision, and was good at heading the ball.

Even though he scored many goals, Raúl was also a very creative and hardworking player. He was good at helping his teammates score and sometimes played as an attacking midfielder later in his career.

What People Said About Him

Raúl is remembered for his strong leadership and great discipline. He never received a red card in his entire career and was rarely booked (given a yellow card). Because of his speed, elegant playing style, and goalscoring, his teammate Fernando Hierro nicknamed him "El Ferrari" (The Ferrari). He was also very accurate at taking penalty kicks. In 2013, former England player Rio Ferdinand praised Raúl for his smart movement without the ball and his ability to find gaps in defenses. He called him "the most intelligent player [he'd] played against."

Media and Personal Life

Raúl was sponsored by the sports company Adidas. He appeared in commercials for their football boots and other products. He also featured in Pepsi commercials, including one for the 2002 World Cup where he and other famous players played against Sumo wrestlers.

Raúl is also in EA Sports' FIFA video game series. His famous goal celebration, where he kisses his ring finger (a sign of love for his wife), is included in FIFA 18. Because of this celebration, he is also nicknamed "Lord of the Rings".

Raúl married Mamen Sanz in 1999. They have four sons named Jorge, Hugo, Héctor, and Mateo, and a daughter named María. His daughter María signed with Real Madrid's U15 football team in 2022.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Managerial Statistics

Trophies and Awards

Raúl in his last season with Real Madrid

As a Player

Real Madrid Youth

• Dallas Cup: 1993, 1994

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 1994–95, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08
• Supercopa de España: 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008
• UEFA Champions League: 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02
• UEFA Super Cup: 2002
• Intercontinental Cup: 1998, 2002

Schalke 04

• DFB-Pokal: 2010–11
• DFL-Supercup: 2011

Al Sadd

• Qatar Stars League: 2012–13
• Emir of Qatar Cup: 2014

New York Cosmos

• North American Soccer League: Spring Season 2015
• North American Supporters' Trophy: 2015
• Soccer Bowl: 2015

Spain U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 1996

Individual Awards

• UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship top goalscorer: 1996
• La Liga's Breakthrough Player: 1994–95
• Zarra Trophy: 1995–96, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03
• La Liga's Best Spanish Player: 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02 (record)
• ESM Team of the Year: 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000
• Pichichi Trophy: 1998–99, 2000–01
• Copa del Rey top goalscorer: 2001–02, 2003–04
• IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer: 1999
• UEFA Champions League top goalscorer: 1999–2000, 2000–01
• UEFA Champions League top assist provider: 2002–03
• UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02
• UEFA European Football Championship Teams of the Tournament: 2000
• Ballon d'Or runner-up: 2001
• FIFA World Player of the Year bronze award: 2001
• FIFA 100 (list of greatest living players)
• Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano: 2007–08
• Marca Leyenda: 2009
• Goal of the Year in Germany: 2011, 2013 (shared with Julian Draxler)
• Qatar Stars League Fair Play Award: 2013
• NASL Player of the Month: May 2015

Records

• Real Madrid Record Appearance Maker: 741 games
• Real Madrid Record Appearance Maker in La Liga: 550 games
• European Competitions Record Appearance Maker: 150^*
• Has not received a red card in entire career.

As a Manager

Real Madrid U19

• UEFA Youth League: 2019–20

Decorations

• Government of Spain: Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit 2006
• City of Madrid: Gold Medal 2009

See also

In Spanish: Raúl González Blanco para niños

• List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of men's footballers with the most official appearances
• List of Real Madrid CF records and statistics
• List of La Liga players (400+ appearances)