Raul congratulates Real Madrid

"I am happy for all the fans I first saw at Mestalla and then at Cibeles"

During 15 seasons with Real Madrid, Raul Gonzalez was never able to win the Copa del Rey. Now at Schalke 04, the former Madridista didn't want to miss the opportunity to congratulate Madridismo on their new title.

"I am happy for all the fans I saw at Mestalla and later at Cibeles. Congratulations to the directors, the coaching staff, the team, the employees and the great Bernabeu fans base. The Mestalla final wasn't easy because they were up against a great opponent. It is a very special title that resisted us for many years."

Raul signs Schalke 04 -- Good bye el capitano

Raul Gonzalez Blanco Completes Move to Schalke 04

Real Madrid idol Raul Gonzalez Blanco has been presented as a player for German side FC Schalke 04. The forward has been confirmed to wear his favoured number seven shirt for the upcoming Bundesliga season. The all-time leading scorer at the Bernebau, Raul was welcomed at the Veltins Arena after having signed a two-year contract with his new club.

Schalke midfielder Hao Junmin has reportedly passed up the number seven shirt for the upcoming season, stating it would be an honour to allow the former Madrid captain to wear the number of his choosing. According to reports, the Chinese international will now play wearing the number eight shirt.

As 33 year-old Raul was unveiled as a Schalke player, he showed his delight at moving to last season’s Bundesliga runners-up. He said: "For me this is a very special day, as I'm leaving after 16 years at (Real Madrid). Now I have the desire to take on a new challenge. I come to a very competitive club that is playing in the Champions League and that is fighting for the Bundesliga. Schalke and their coach have shown their confidence in me and from the beginning showed great interest in making this a reality. This is an important challenge. I hope that the fans enjoy the team as well as me, and that we accomplish our goals that we have set for ourselves at the beginning of the season."

The Miners’ Club

Raul posed with two miners and a block of coal, as his new side, located near the mining area of Ruhrgebiet, is known as “The Miners’ Club." He revealed to reporters that he had decided on Schalke as his destination due to the interest the club had shown in him and because they had "what I want in terms of level of competition."

The former Spain international said he is "excited to play and work very hard. I hope that these two years are a marvellous experience. I am sure that everything is going to go very well. I want to score goals, but the most important thing is the team, not the personal objectives. It has been that way for me for the past 16 years."

At Schalke, Raul has been reunited with former Madrid teammate Christoph Metzelder. The 29 year-old German central defender moved to the Bundesliga side on a free transfer earlier this summer. Raul, also known as El Siete (The Seven, after his iconic shirt number), also commented on the possibility of meeting his former club in the Champions League. While he said there “is no clause in my contract that impedes me from playing against Madrid," he conceded that such an event would be “a very special one."

‘Great news’

Schalke coach Felix Magath told the club’s official website: “It's great news for FC Schalke 04, I am pleased that we have succeeded in signing such an exceptional footballer and world-class striker switching to the Bundesliga for Schalke 04. He will be an inspiration. His qualities will help us. His commitment is a crucial step in our efforts to strengthen the squad for future tasks, and to restructure. I look forward to working with this good professional."

The player had been with Real Madrid since joining their youth set-up in 1992. His 323 goals in 741 games aided his team to three UEFA Champions League titles and six La Liga Championships. He is also his country’s all-time highest scorer with 44 goals in 102 games for Spain.

The presentation had initially been set to take place behind closed doors, but due to the enormous press attention given to the Madrid legend’s arrival, Schalke fans were allowed access to cheer the arrival of "El Angel del Madrid."

Raul to Schalke

Raul looks set to snub a move to the Premier Leagueafter German side Schalke confirmed they were in talks with the Real Madrid striker.

The 33-year-old has been linked with Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers but could be set for a switch to the Bundesliga instead.

Schalke boss Felix Magath confirmed negotiations were taking place with Raul but insisted a deal may not be reached for a month.

"We are interested in him and are negotiating with his agent," Magath told Bild.

"The player has not decided yet and wants time until the end of July to make up his mind.

"It would be a huge signing for Schalke and the whole Bundesliga."

Raul has been at Real Madrid since since 1992, scoring 323 goals in 741 games and is regarded as a legend amongst supporters.

But the former Spain captain appears to be surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu and could be released from his contract one year early.

Raul to Liverpool?????

Struggling Premier League giants Liverpool are apparently interested in signing Real Madrid striker Raul in the summer.

The Mirror is reporting that Rafael Benitez is pulling out all the stops to persuade the veteran Madrid hitman to depart from sunny Madrid to sign with the Reds, where he will form a partnership with Spain's current in-form striker Fernando Torres. The Daily Mail has chipped in saying that Liverpool will extend a two-year deal to Raul.

Raul has been rumoured to be interested in a move to play in the Premier League, after being dropped from the first team at the Bernabeu this season. Speculation has been rife that the former Spain international is ready to leave Spain in order to play first-team football.

The 32-year-old has long been linked to a transfer to the MLS, particularly to the New York Red Bulls, following a season where he has just started eight games in La Liga so far, with a paltry four goals to his name. Raul has, however, played in seven Champions League matches this season and scored twice in those games.

Raul Gonzalez : I am not worried about my place with Real Madrid

Raul Gonzalez said he isn't worried about his place with Real Madrid despite his dwindling playing time.

The Madrid captain has gone from starter to substitute in coach Manuel Pellegrini's first season in charge but believes his role with the club remains as important as ever.

"Since I arrived at 17, my role in the club has always been important and will continue being (that way)," Raul said Wednesday.

Raul's playing time has been curbed under Pellegrini, whose arrival kicked off an offseason overhaul in which the Spanish powerhouse spent more than euro250 million ($365 million) on players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Raul scored 24 goals in all competitions last season and is the club's all-time leading scorer. But this season has seen the Madrid captain start from the bench for three straight games for the first time since his rookie season in 1994-95. He has five goals across all competitions.

Questions were raised on Saturday when Pellegrini looked set to bring Raul on in the second half but changed his mind after Madrid went ahead in a 4-2 win over Almeria.

"I understand the coach and I have no problem with that. As a professional, I accept it," said Raul, who described his relationship with Pellegrini as "magnificent."

Raul has spent his entire career at Madrid, like midfielder Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez, who has been eased out of the team by Pellegrini following a heated halftime exchange of the humiliating 4-0 defeat to third-tier club Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey.

While Raul remains in the squad, Guti has been left out for nine straight games.

Florentino Perez's return to the presidency has reshaped the club, with Ronaldo and Kaka joined by Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso.

Following the embarrassing Copa del Rey exit, Madrid has found form to finish top of its Champions League group ahead of AC Milan. The team is also second in the league, five points back of Barcelona with a game in hand.

"The team is playing well," Raul said. "We achieved our goal of finishing first in the group in the Champions League and even though I'm playing less, like everyone's seen, I'm training and fighting to keep playing and to enjoy the profession I love most -- football."

Raul is father for the fifth time to his baby-girl

Real Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez Blanco became a fifth-time father on Friday morning when Maria Gonzalez Redondo was born. She weighs 2.9 kg, is 48 cm tall and is in perfect health under the watch of Dr.Carmen Casquet at Monteprincipe Hospital in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.

Raul tried new adidas predator:"Predator X is ‘Best Predator Yet’"

Raul has become a legend at the Santiago Bernabéu. The forward, who is the all-time leading goal scorer for Real Madrid and for the Spanish national team, obviously knows his way around the mouth of the goal and sees the new Predator as helping his goalscoring tally increase.

"I think this is the best PREDATOR® yet. It feels so comfortable. I love the mono-tongue which allows me to close the shoe tighter. I am really looking forward to 2010 and wearing the new PREDATOR® X."

Special Raul Gonzalez Video

Raul Gonzalez celebrates his 15th year at Real Madrid

Today, 29 October 2009, Raul Gonzalez Blanco celebrates his 15-year anniversary as a Real Madrid player. To commemorate the occasion, Realmadrid.com has selected fifteen of the captain’s best highlights and fifteen of his most memorable quotes.

His first goal
“It reflected the hope and excitement of a kid who wanted to be a footballer playing in the Santiago Bernabeu against Atletico Madrid.”

It came against the same team that he played for during his earliest years. Unable to score in his official La Liga debut on 29 October 1994 against Zaragoza, Raul found the back of the net against Atletico Madrid one week later.

Unforgettable goal against Atletico
“I was on the train one day and noticed everyone looking at me… that is when my life started to change.”

By 1996/97 Raul was the talk of the town, but another goal against Atletico increased his legend even further. He evaded two defenders and put the ball past Molina with barely any angle to shoot.

Raul introduces the Aguanis in the Intercontinental Cup
“Fans adore Zidane and Ronaldo, but they know how to appreciate those who grew up here, and no one can take that away from you.”

On 1 December 1998, Raul’s image was plastered around the world following the Intercontinental Cup against Vasco de Gama in Tokyo, where he invented his trademark double stepover and game-winning shot.

Two-time Pichichi
“I enjoy the responsibility I have: the fact that kids admire anything I say or do.”

Raul has finished as La Liga’s top scorer on two occasions. The first was in 1998/99 when he scored 25 goals to beat out Rivaldo by one. Two seasons later his 24 were again one better than the Brazilian.

Brace against Barcelona
“There have been many more good days than bad days during my career.”

On 13 October 1999, the forward lobbed in the equalizer in the Camp Nou with four minutes left to play. Raul silenced the stadium with one simple hand gesture, which over time has represented a symbol of contempt towards his critics.

Three Champions League titles
“It was unimaginable several years ago, but I’m already thinking about the next one; you only remember the winner.”

Real Madrid’s 0-1 victory against Juventus on 20 May 1998 put an end to a 32-year drought in Europe. Two years later, on 24 May 2000, the Whites won the Eighth with a 3-0 drubbing against Valencia. Raul scored after a 60-meter scamper and a one-on-one with Cañizares. He also struck gold on 15 May 2002, when Real Madrid won its Ninth with a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

100th cap
“Defending the national team colors is the greatest satisfaction for a Spanish football player.”

Raul made his Spanish team debut on 10 October 1996. A little over ten years later, 15 August 2006 to be exact, he earned his 100th cap against Iceland. The only other player to pass the century mark is Andoni Zubizarreta, but Iker Casillas is one appearance shy of 100.

All-time top scorer for Spain
“When I speak to retired players, they remind me how lucky I am that I am still playing. I want to enjoy this all I can.”

With 44 goals to his name, Raul is the all-time top scorer of the Spanish national team. He is followed by Villa (33), Hierro (29), Morientes (27) and Butragueño (26).

All-time top scorer of the Champions League
“I enjoy it now as much as I did then, when I would cross the entire city to go to the old Real Madrid Sports City.”

Raul is also the all-time top scorer of the UEFA Champions League having scored 66 goals in Europe’s top competition. He is followed by Van Nistelrooy (56), Henry (50), Di Stefano (47), Shevchenko (47), Inzaghi (44) and Del Piero (42). He was also the top scorer of the competition on two occasions. (99/00 and 00/01).

300 victories with Real Madrid
“I feel privileged to be part of Real Madrid, the club that watched me grow as a footballer.”

On 12 April 2009 against Valladolid, Raul became only the third player ever to earn his 300th Primera Division victory. Zubizarreta earned 333 and Sanchis 312. Currently, the captain is sitting on 309.

Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer in La Liga
“Football has memory, which is why we cannot forget where we come from.”

Raul has scored 226 goals around Spain to become the top Madridista scorer of all-time in La Liga. Di Stefano is second with 216, followed by Santillana (186), Hugo Sanchez (164) and Puskas (156).

Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer overall
“I am just as excited to wake up and go train as I was when I started. Football is my passion.”

The Madridista forward has netted 321 goals to become the most prolific Real Madrid goal-scorer ever. He is again followed by Di Stefano (307), Santillana (290), Puskas (236) and Hugo Sanchez (207).

Most league matches played for Real Madrid
“I have had teammates who for one reason or another were lost along the way. Everything went right for me. I am lucky to have made it this far.”

On 23 September 2009 against Villarreal, Raul overtook Manolo Sanchis as the Madridista with the most league matches under his belt. Sanchis reached 523, while Raul now stands at 528.

Most official matches played for Real Madrid
“I have experienced many ups and downs, but it is the affection of all those who I have met along the way that matters most to me.”

Sanchis held the record of 708 official matches played for Real Madrid until 30 September 2009, when Raul took the pitch against Olympique de Marseille for his 709th official appearance. The mark now stands at 714.

Fouth all-time top scorer of La Liga
“Looking back on its history, players and people who have given their hearts and souls to this club, you realize that when you don this shirt you owe it to the millions of fans around the world who expect the best of you.”

Reaching the top spot in this ranking would be the icing on the cake. Raul is the fourth all-time top scorer of La Liga with 226 goals. Ahead of him are Alfredo di Stefano (227), Hugo Sanchez (234) and Zarra (251).

Real Madrid Players support the ELA Association(Photo Gallery)

Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid joined forces once again with the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA). The legendary player inaugurated ELA-Spain in 2005 with friiend and former team-mate Raul Gonzalez. Several children who have the illness visited Valdebebas on Friday and had a chance to meet their idols. In the next couple of days they will take the Stadium Tour with Zidane and will see the banner of their association held by the players on the pitch right before the Real Madrid-Valladolid match kicks-off.

Real Madrid will use their match against Valladolid to spread awareness on the fight against leukodystrophy.

Children with the illness witll see the game live at the stadium with ELA Founding Chairman Guy Alba and ELA-Spain Chairman Bienvenido Corral.

Lukodystrophy destroys myelin (a layer that covers up nerves) in the central nervous system and gradually paralizes vital biological processes. It is currently incurable. Ever since its foundation in 1992, the ELA has tried to make people aware of the illness, to support families of people who suffer from it and to finance scientific research. The ELA has founded 317 research programmes, spending a total of 25.2 millon euros.

The Association's fight is beginnig to get its first results; current research results bring hope and allow scientists to believe that the illness may be treated in the future.

Raul:"We have players that can replace the injured ones"

Raul has been thinking about the current physical condition of los Blancos' squad, which has been ravaged by injuries recently.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, Guti, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fernando Gago, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Christoph Metzelder all currently out injured, some have been worried about how the squad will cope in their absence.

For Raul, though, there is no problem - even with replacing the world's most expensive player.

"Cristiano is a very important player for us, but there are also other injured players," he told Marca.

"We have too many injuries, but we can count on a large squad."

Raul then picked out the Champions League double-header as the most important games in a difficult run that los Merengues are about to embark on.

"Some key games are coming up now, both in the league and the Champions League - particularly the two matches against Milan.

"We will try and qualify for the second round [as soon as possible] in order to concentrate on the league and the Copa del Rey."

Raul and Cristiano Ronaldo play Hurling (Photo Gallery)

The Carton House Hotel opened an area of its training grounds on Sunday to allow Real Madrid players, in conjunction with adidas, to put on a football clinic for approximately thirty children.

Despite six days of accumulated fatigue, Real Madrid always has time for the youngest of fans; those who dream about one day becoming the next Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul or Benzema. After their workout on Sunday, the entire Madridista squad spent time with about thirty children to teach them the basics of football in a clinic organized in conjunction with adidas.

The players split into three groups, each of which taught drills including passing, running and dribbling technique. Football wasn’t the only sport on display, however, as several Madridistas tried their luck at the traditional Irish sport of hurling.

The clinic drew to a close with a group photo and an autograph session on behalf of the players.

Day 4 in Ireland : Real Madrid Preseason Training Photo Gallery (Pictures)

The players took the pitch at 8:00 am and did several resistance exercises for an hour. Pellegrini's goal is to divide the strenous work the squad is carrying out to avoid injuries and too much strain. This is why the players were allowed to rest before their second session.

The players took the pitch at 11:00, where many fans were waiting to see them in action. Strengthening exercises and workouts to boost explosiveness took centre stage after a mild warm-up jog. The players also lifted weights and tackled several drills that focused on changes in pace.

Wesley Sneijder rejoined his team-mates after missing yesterday's session. The Dutchman has been having trouble all year due to the serious injury he suffered from during the previous preseason and the Medical Staff has determined he should do specific exercises to overcome these problems.

Diarra and Van Nistelrooy again did recovery workouts, while Miguel Palanca stayed in the small gym on the pitch recovering from the sprain on his external lateral ligament.