Article
29 October 2009
Realmadrid.com
Influential figures from the football world had nothing but kind words about Raul Gonzalez on the day the Madridista captain celebrated his 15th anniversary in white.
DI STEFANO: "Raul accomplished what many people are capable of: walking into a packed stadium and playing as if it was a street game... He has incredible charisma and tremendous goal-scoring ability. He is a bastion in the world of football."
PELE: "Raul is very head strong. He is smart and knows how to handle the pressure. It isn't easy to play for Real Madrid or to play at the level he does every single match. His progress is incredible. Raul is a great player."
MARADONA: "I don't need to say anything because it isn't necessary. He has nothing to prove to anyone. He speaks for himself. We aren't talking about a 15-year old kid. Raul is a genius. He has played at a level that no one else can do. There is no debate. I have never doubted Raul."
JOHAN CRUYFF: "Raul is above all the rest... His subtlety,talent, physical attributes... Raul is my number one."
GENTO: "Di Stefano was marvelous. Any ball he touched was a threat. Like Raul he always thought about scoring. Back then we played with up to five forwards. Raul deserves a lot of credit because he fights for every ball and against the strongest defenders."
ZARRA: "He is an excellent person and extraordinary footballer. He has always stood out for his scoring ability despite not playing in a very advanced position.”
VALDANO: "He plays like an angel. He runs towards everything that moves. He only rests when he has won. He is a proud person who sets very lofty goals. He has a gene for winning. He is Raul."
BUTRAGUEÑO: "Raul is Madrid and Madrid is Raul."
FERNANDO HIERRO: "Raul has had incredible skills since he debuted. But his mentality has stood out above all the rest."
REDONDO: "Raul is the soul of Real Madrid. He is always there to shoulder the load. Few players are as decisive as he is. We have to enjoy watching him because there aren't many like him."
MICHAEL LAUDRUP: "I would always like to have a player like Raul on my team. He has won everything and is still humble. He is what every coach wants for his team."
CAPELLO: "He is my favorite forward. He has an assassin's instinct."
ZINEDINE ZIDANE: "An adjective to describe Raul...Everything! Raul means everything to this Real Madrid."
PAOLO MALDINI: "Raul belongs to a breed of extraordinary champions. He is a global icon of football."
RIO FERDINAND: "Raul is the toughest forward I have faced. He doesn't play against you. He plays far from you. He taunts you into marking him and then he kills you with his passing. He is extremely dangerous."
THIERRY HENRY: "I have always admired Raul. I don't think he is appreciated enough. I respect him very much."
CESC FABREGAS: "Raul is an icon the world over."
FERNANDO TORRES: "Raul is a role model in every training session and every match. He always responds to critics on the football pitch."
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