Real Madrid confidently saw off opponents Sporting Gijon, on the weekend, beating them with a crushing 4-0 result. Raul did the damage for the reigning La Liga Champions, netting twice and in the process passing Alfredo di Stefano’s record as the leading goalscorer of the club, moving onto 309 goals in his career. Raúl turned in Sergio Ramos’s low cross with the inside of his left foot in the 15th minute to surpass Alfredo di Stefano and become Madrid’s all-time leading scorer with 308 goals in official competitions. Raúl, 31, added No. 309 in the 76th minute after jumping on a loose rebound inside the box. Raul is not new to setting records though, as he is also Spain’s current leading scorer with 44 goals, the Champions League’s top marksman with 64, and the highest goalscorer in all UEFA official club competition with 66. And with 685 appearances for Madrid, he is also closing in on Manuel Sanchis’ record of 712.
This performance was probably the best Real Madrid performance have yet produced under Juande Ramos’ stewardship. He stated about Raul, “It will take many years before we see another like him. Raul has a history worthy of praise, and it will take years for anyone to surpass him. He is always on the front line, and has carried the weight of expectation at the club on his shoulders. He has to be congratulated.”
Three other soccer stars today also complimented Raul on his new record, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Del Piero, and Cesc Fabregas.
“308 official goals is an historic, unique and incredible achievement and surely it is just another step for a great champion who has demonstrated, over the years, his great qualities, I am sure he will continue to show that for a long, long time,††Del Piero told the press. The Juventus captain is often referred to and thought of as Italy’s Raul.
Paolo Maldini said in his congratulations, “He has won everything with Real Madrid and he has always been a reference point for all young forwards. He is a positive example of a football champion.His professionalism and his constant dedication in training is just one of the many characteristics of a true champion. Of all the goals he has scored and the successes he has had, surpassing Di Stefano’s record is, of course, one of his most important achievements and he has now rightly earned his place in the club’s history books. I congratulate him and I send him my best for the future, as I believe he still has a lot to give to Spanish and international football.â€
The third professional footballer to offer his congratulations was Raul’s compatriot, Cesc Fabregas. The Arsenal star said, ““For my generation and the younger generation of Spanish players, Raul has always been an example. His goals, his determination, his work ethic has always been at the same level for many years and he represents continuity. Raul is a reference to all football players around the globe. In every corner of the world, his image is synonymous to that of Real Madrid. I congratulate him for creating history by scoring so many goals.”
Raul marked his place in the record books wearing the new Adidas Predator Powerswerve Control. Read Soccer Equipment Reviews post on the Control cleats here.
