Raul

Name: Raúl González Blanco
Nickname: El Angel de Madrid (The Angel Of Madrid), El capitán, Raulito
Nationality: Spanish
Date and Place of Birth: June 27, 1977 in Madrid, Spain
Playing Position: Striker
Current Club: Real Madrid (Spanish La Liga)
Club Career History: 1994 - present Real Madrid

International Career: 1996 - present Spain

About Raúl González:
Despite early worries about his diminuative size, Raúl has never been a footballer to be easily put off from a challenge. Combining quick feet with a deadly eye for goal, the young man from Madrid has became a living legend for both his only professional club and his country by doing what he does best and in vast amounts - put the ball in the net.

Having made his debut in 1994 at the age of 17, Raúl has went on to play for Real Madrid over 400 times and has achieved more than a century of international cpas for Spain since his international debut in 1996.

As the record all time goalscorer for Spain and the record goalscorer for all time in the UEFA Champion's League (currently with 54 goals), Raúl also has amassed an enviable collection of personal and team honours during his illustrious career:

Club Honours:
- Spanish La Liga : 1995, 1997, 2001 and 2003
- Spanish Super Cup : 1997, 2001 and 2003
- UEFA Champions League : 1998, 2000 and 2002
- European SuperCup : 2002
- Intercontinental Cup : 1998 and 2002

Individual Honours:
- Pichichi Trophy : 1999 and 2001
- Spanish Player of the Year : 1996-97 season
- UEFA Club Football Best Forward Award : 2000, 2001 and 2003
- 1998 Intercontinental Cup Man of the Match
- 1999 IFFHS World Goalgetter
- 2000 Spanish outstanding sportsman
- 2 x UEFA Champions League Top Scorer
- 2006 Royal Order's gold medal for Sports Merit

Despite a recent downturn in form, which mirrors that of his beloved Real Madrid over the past few seasons, there can be few Real Madrid fans who don't offer a silent thank you to the president of city rivals Ateltico Madrid for closing down their youth team back in the early 1990s to save money and in doing so forcing a young Raúl González Blanco to make his way to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and into Real Madrid folklore.