Is Raul’s distinguished career at Real Madrid coming to an end? The media seems to think so…
‘The King is dead. Long live the king.’ Admittedly a major cliché, but never has the sentiment been so apt than in the case of Raul Gonzalez Blanco, as it appears his 16 year affiliation with the Real Madrid first-team is dwindling to conclusion.
For that is exactly what he has been to Real. The king, the diamond in the crown jewels. For all the comings and goings, all the lavish fees paid out for world-class footballers, one man has remained as the figurehead of the team.
But no more it seems. He has only scored six goals this season from 36 appearances, of which only 11 have been starts. Compare that to his 24 goals in 45 starts from last season and you see where Raul now stands. The second coming of Florentino Perez has seen Raul’s untouchable status obliterated.
Only a couple of seasons ago, leaving Raul on the bench for so many games would have been a sack-able offence for a manager. He has for so long been a commanding presence on the club, influencing team selection and managerial removals. Raul would oversee his manager and president fighting like a pair of gladiators. When his thumb turned downwards, it was time for change.
And maybe that is why, despite all the money spent, all the prestige that the name Real Madrid carries, in his 16 years as a first-team professional at Los Blancos he has only won six La Liga titles. That may still seem like a lot, but for several years, Real were by far the strongest squad in the league, as even Barca hit rough patches under the likes of Louis Van Gaal.
The influence of Raul has been far too strong for many years, causing managerial upheaval, boardroom turmoil and even squad disharmony. A member of the playing staff should never have so much influence on matters off the pitch, but he could get away with it. He was Raul. A local Madrid boy, who had risen up to become one of the finest strikers in world football.
Yet, how their rivals across the city will still be kicking themselves. Atletico Madrid had Raul on their books as a youngster, the decision to disband the club’s youth system meant one of the finest footballers of his generation was shunted out of the club to join their hated rivals (much to the disgust of much of his Atletico supporting family).
Since his arrival on the first-team scene in 1994, Raul has racked up a whopping 719 appearances, with 311 goals scored in that time (the first, naturally, being against Atletico). Whilst six titles might seem miserly by Real’s rather high standards, Atletico have only seen one league and cup double in that time (1995-96), with their only other trophy being the Segunda title after spending two years in Spain’s second division. Would this have happened with a player like Raul in the team? It’s highly doubtful.
For there is no doubting Raul’s ability as a player. You do not become the figurehead of a club like Real Madrid without possessing a fantastic skill with a football. You cannot become a club legend, alongside the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano and Emiliano Butragueno with goal-scoring greatness.
As stated, Raul has a record of nearly a goal every other game. To keep up consistency on that level, over such a long period of time is phenomenal. This is why he is La Liga’s and the Champions League’s all-time top goal-scorer, why he is Real Madrid’s record appearance maker (only second in La Liga to Andoni Zubizarretta). Raul was voted as UEFA’s club forward of the year for three consecutive years between 1999 and 2002.
But what now for the mercurial marksman? He has actually made the required 30 appearances this season to activate another year on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, but it seems this maybe reneged upon by both club and player (with a tidy pay-off of course). An offer stands from New York Red Bulls to end his playing days in the USA and seems the most likely option, as this will be a lifestyle he can bring his wife and four kids into.
Recent rumours have circulated with a move to Liverpool to link up with Fernando Torres as well. Raul is only 32-years-old and could still do a job in the Premiership, but his failure to form a partnership with Torres on the international scene could see this idea kicked into touch early.
Either way, the Spanish media seem convinced that we will not be seeing Raul donning the famous Real Madrid jersey come next season. It will be a great loss to Spanish football to see him depart, as he has been one of the finest footballers to have graced the Bernabeu. However, it is a necessary measure for Real, if they are to usher in a new era of prosperity.