Pardon my crazy, but this looks like it’s from Raul’s arrival at Schalke’s training camp in Austria last summer, June/July 2011. It’s before Schalke got on youtube but I found the video on this page of their archive.
Raul was invited to watch the final of the European Handball Cup Winner’s Cup, (“Final-Hinspiel des Europapokals der Pokalsiege”) in which SG Flensburg-Handewitt defeated VfL Gummersbach. He also took a picture with the winners afterwards. [x]
Raul is a quiet player. He doesn’t talk so much. He’s not like this when he’s on the pitch. When you see him on the pitch, he’s smart. Before he gets the ball, he knows straight away what he’s going to do. The young players can learn a lot from him.
[Off the field], he’s not the guy who drives big cars to show that he’s a big player. He’s really easy, quiet, he doesn’t talk too much. He talks only with the team to help the team. He’s won everything I think you can win but he’s a really good person.
- Jermaine Jones [x]
Qatar 2022: I am here to support Qatar football, says Raul Gonzalez
May 16 - Legendery Spanish striker Raul Gonzalez said Qatar would host a successful World Cup in 2022.
“Qatar has everything in place to host a successful World Cup. Now the country’s national team should improve in 10 years’ time to first become the top team in Asia and then catch up with the world’s best. For that to happen, the Qatar Stars League must raise the bar on itself,” Raul, who joined Qatar’s Al Sadd last Sunday, told Doha Stadium Plus in an exclusive interview.
“I hope they qualify for the ’14 Brazil finals. That should greatly motivate the players currently in the age-group of 15-16, who will be playing the World Cup before home fans. I’m here to support the Qatari players and Aspire Academy, which I’m sure will contribute richly to the idea,” said the 34-year-old.
He said moving to Qatar was a chance to enjoy a different culture.
“Though there were a few offers, I only wanted to choose between two: whether to continue at Schalke or move to Al Sadd. Everything has been perfect for me at Schalke and my family too loved their stay there. With Sadd, it’s a chance to familiarise with a new culture. I’ve been to Doha with Schalke for the pre-season camp six months ago. I liked Doha and so too my wife. It’s a different experience,” he said.
When pointed out the Spanish League, unlike English Premiership, was getting slightly predictable time and again due to the two-horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid, he said, “The reason is simple. They’re the best teams in the world at the moment. If they were playing in England, then also it would’ve been a two-horse race between them.”
Asked whether Barcelona’s Lionel Messi or Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was better, he refused to compare them saying they were players with different characteristics.
Raul said he was confident of giving his best to his new club.
“I’m fit enough to play the gruelling season in Qatar. I’ll use my vast experience as a player to help Sadd win more trophies next season,” he said.
“I’m happy to have signed for one of the top clubs. Sadd have a huge fan following and they’re aiming to win trophies,” said Raul, who was presented with the No.7 jersey by Sadd.
He said he spoke in detail with Pep Guardiola and Fernando Hierro, who both had played in Qatar, before taking the decision.
“I sat down with Pep and we talked about Qatar football,” he said. “Pep told me that the game here’s on the move. I think I can give my experience to this club,” the soft-spoken player signed off.
