Raul Breaks Goal-Scoring Record
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Real Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez Blanco has broken yet another record in his career, this evening equalling the great Santillana's goal-scoring record for Madrid, with the all-time record held by Alfredo Di Stefano in sight...
Raul is already the all-time top-scorer in the history of the European Cup to name one of several records. His 290th goal for Madrid tonight - a fine strike against Sevilla to put his side back in front - put him level with Carlos Alonso Gonzalez, nicknamed Santillana - a deadly striker for los Blancos in the 70s and 80s.
Alfredo Di Stefano, a legend of the 50s and 60s and currently the club's honorary president, holds the all-time record with 307 strikes.
Despite Di Stefano's lack of international exposure for many mitigating circumstances, he has regularly been spoken of in the same breath as Pele and Maradona, and for Raul to break a record held by such a great would be remarkable in this day and age.
He has already passed undisputed legends such as Ferenc Puskas, Hugo Sanchez, Gento and Emilio Butragueno in his 14-year career, beginning when he debuted against Real Zaragoza at 17 years of age.
The Prince of Spain has netted 202 goals in La Liga, 61 in the Champions League, 15 in the Copa del Rey, seven in the Spanish Super Cup, two in the World Club Championship and a goal each in the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.It is an extraordinary range of goals and, in such great shape, he is likely to grab the 18 goals required to surpass Di Stefano's record next season.
Raul is also second in for Madrid in terms of games played. Tonight he played his 648th game for the club, with Manolo Sanchis leading the way with 712 appearances. This record is slightly further out of sight, but another three or perhaps four seasons could well see him break that record as well.President Ramon Calderon took a moment to pay tribute to the legendary skipper.
"What delights me most is Raúl's attitude," he said. "He is a symbol, an extraordinary player that has broken practically every record.
"He is living a second youth and his teammates look up to him as to a leader."
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UEFA CHAMP LEAGUES (GOAL SCORED/MATCHES PLAYED/DEBUT)
1 Raúl González 61 116 1995 Real Madrid 2
Ruud van Nistelrooy 53 71 1998 PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Real Madrid 3
Andriy Shevchenko 46 93 1994 Dynamo Kyiv, A.C. Milan, Chelsea 4
Thierry Henry 45 91 1995 AS Monaco, Arsenal, FC Barcelona 5
Filippo Inzaghi 42 76 1995 Parma, Juventus, A.C. Milan 6
Alessandro Del Piero 36 79 1993 Juventus 7
Fernando Morientes 33 89 1995 Real Madrid, AS Monaco, Liverpool, Valencia 8
Roy Makaay 29 55 2000 Deportivo, Bayern München 9
David Trezeguet 28 53 1997 AS Monaco, Juventus -
barca supporter. but i like raul. great attitude, great player.
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best thing is he is only 30 yo, approaching 3.
