Raul: Record breaker

He doesn't head the ball that well; he's not that good with his right foot; he cannot dribble; he's not very fast. But he's a seven out of 10 in everything.

Guillem Balague on Raul.
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• Real Madrid

This week's Revista de la Liga paid tribute to Real Madrid legend Raul, who at the weekend became just the seventh man to score 200 goals in La Liga.

The Real skipper's penalty-kick aginst Espanyol earned his side a 2-1 win and an eight-point lead at the top, as well as bringing up another personal landmark.

Raul is already the record scorer in the Champions League, with 61 goals from 116 appearances, and Spain's leading marksman with 44.

And the 30-year-old's real achievement, according to Revista's Guillem Balague, is to reach such heights despite lacking the startling ability of other players.

He said: "If he had gone to Manchester United or Liverpool or Milan, people would say he was one of the best.

"But having just been at Real Madrid, people will say he hasn't tested himself and he's been in a comfort zone etc. You have to say that his statistics prove he is very important for his club, but it is not just that.

"I admire him because he's not a 10 out of 10 in anything: he doesn't head the ball that well; he's not that good with his right foot; he cannot dribble; he's not very fast. But he's a seven out of 10 in everything.

"There was a time when he was taken further away from goal because fashionable people like Ronaldo came in, but he's back where he belongs, as a second striker, and he's found his fitness and motivation."

Raul's one area of disappointment has been at international level, where his own success has not translated into medals, but Guillem believes that could change in the future.

He said: "I was going to say: 'he will lead Spain to a national title' but he won't be able to do that (yet) because the coach Luis Aragones does not like him.

"The next coach will be Vicente del Bosque, though, and I'm sure he will bring him back."