Goal.com Special: 7 Most Iconic Raul Moments At Real Madrid

In an homage to the legendary Angel of Madrid, Goal.com looks back at some of Raul’s landmark events in his Real Madrid career, as well as some of the most iconic, memorable images.

7. Raul’s first ever Real Madrid goal (vs Atletico Madrid)

It’s a story that can only be written by Hollywood producers in their dream. Raul, discarded by Atletico Madrid after their youth system was shut down, went over to neighbouring foes Real Madrid and scored his very first goal as a professional in the famous white shirt against the club that first developed his footballing genius. It was only his second ever match for the Blancos first team and his second ever in La Liga, but Raul opened the floodgates that evening and there would be no turning back.

Credit has to be given to then-coach Jorge Valdano for selecting Raul in the first place against Atleti after he had debuted in a 3-2 defeat at Real Zaragoza in the previous game.

It was quite the irony then that Raul’s final game and final goal for Madrid would be at Zaragoza. This time, though, he emerged victorious.

Raul’s last goal for Real Madrid can be seen here, and his first ever goal below:

6. Chipping the goalkeeper

It’s not a move that was invented by Raul and many other players have done it before and since. But chipping a goal-bound effort over an out-of-position goalkeeper quickly became El Gran Capitan’s trademark in his younger days. It embodied the audacity and the enthusiasm of his youth, a time when he felt invincible and probably was invincible. David Beckham is known for his crosses, Zinedine Zidane for his pirouettes, Lionel Messi for his jinking runs; Raul made the elegant ‘chip’ his trademark.

Here is a collection of some of his more famous chipped goals as well as his top strikes:

5. Double strike vs Manchester United (2000 Champions League quarter-finals)

By 2000, Raul had already established himself as an icon in Spanish football and he was already recognised as one of the best forwards in Europe. But it was in 2000 that he really catapulted himself into the stratosphere and cemented his status as one of the world’s elite footballers.

His brace against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the second leg of the 1999/2000 Champions League quarter-finals has become one of his most lasting images. His first goal – and Madrid’s second in the game – was a fine demonstration of his elegant finishing: not a powerful striker of the ball, but graceful and precise.

His second goal? Well, let’s just say it was set-up by the magical heel of Fernando Redondo.

4. Kiss of the ring

As the goals started pouring in right, left and centre, Raul became synonymous with his hallmark kiss of the wedding ring (which is worn on the right hand in Spain) during his goal celebrations.

It’s a gesture that sums up Raul the family man, the superstar footballer who has no time of day for the glamorous lifestyle or the party scene, eventhough his wife Mamen Sanz is a Spanish supermodel. The duo wed in July 1999 and from that day on, every time Raul rippled the back of the net, he would dedicate the goal to his new bride. It quickly became an iconic celebration, one that many footballers perform today when they score.

One of his more memorable kiss of the ring celebrations can be seen here.

3. Beating Alfredo Di Stefano’s goalscoring record

There was a time when Raul was going through his woeful dip in form that questions were raised as to whether or not he will surpass Alfredo Di Stefano’s all-time Real Madrid goalscoring record of 307 goals. But in February of 2009, while enjoying one of his best seasons in the latter stages of his Blancos career, Raul did indeed shatter Don Alfredo’s historic tally.

He netted twice in the 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon, taking his haul to 309 by the end of that game, before going on to add 14 more to set the new club record at 323. The gauntlet has been thrown down to ‘The Next Rauls’ at the Santiago Bernabeu, and beating Di Stefano’s legendary record remains one of the most important milestones in Raul’s Madrid career.

Both of Raul’s goal against Sporting can be seen here.

2.  Solo goal vs Valencia in the 2000 Champions League final

Still fresh off his majestic double against Manchester United in the quarter-final of the Champions League that same year, Raul was in scintillating form and he was eager to cap off the season to rubber-stamp his reputation as one of the best forwards in the world. And he couldn’t have asked for a better venue to do it in: the Champions League final in Stade de France in Paris, scoring one of the most iconic goals in the competition’s history when he ran over half the length of the pitch before coolly rounding opposition goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and slotted the ball past a back-tracking defender, from a tight angle, with his weaker right foot.

He finished joint-top scorer in the Champions League that season with 10 goals and was named as the best forward of the tournament. But it was the amazing individual effort that best summed up his goalscoring exploits.

1. Silencing the Camp Nou

It’s the image that has made Raul Raul in the eyes of all Madridistas: lifting his index finger to his pursed lips as he wheeled away to celebrate a goal against Barcelona – at the imposing and unforgiveable Camp Nou – to silence the Blaugrana faithful. It has become an iconic moment that has paved the way for many players today to be just that little bit more daring and cheeky when celebrating infront of a rival set of fans.

It was a celebration that couldn’t have pleased the cules too much, but for the Blancos fans, it was a gesture that further accentuated Raul’s allegiances and loyalty, and it heralded the beginning of a new era: Raul Madrid.

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