'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
El Ángel de Madrid or better known as Raul Gonzalez has signed with Qatar’s Al Sadd last Sunday, weeks after announcing he would leave Schalke at the end of the season. The Qatar Football Association stated that the Doha club had signed the 34-year-old on a one-year deal.
Raul was in the stands last Saturday to watch Al Gharrafa beat Al Sadd 5-4 on penalties in the Emir Cup.
Raul on his decision to join Al Sadd: “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 familiarize 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. I’m fit enough to play the grueling season in Qatar. I’ll use my vast experience as a player to help Sadd win more trophies next season. 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.”
Trending
Pep Guardiola and Fernando Hierro, who both had played in Qatar earlier were the main influence on Raul’s decision, he added.
He also spoke up about the Spanish league, and the domination by Real Madrid and Barcelona, 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.”
When asked about Barcelona’s Lionel Messi or Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, he refused to compare them saying they were players with different capabilities.
Raul Gonzalez, after being presented by the group of Al Sadd, said in an interview on Al Jazeera Sports, that his departure from Real Madrid “was a bit hasty, but I will return.”
On the triumph of his former team in the Liga, he said: “It’s a fair winner of the League”.
He admitted his desire to be part of the list for the Euro, “If I’d called The Red fast. If I can not go, I will encourage any other amateur.”
He lamented the decline Puyol: “It’s a shame. Would have helped a lot for your great experience.”
Raul was a fan favorite at Schalke, where he scored 27 goals in 63 Bundesliga appearances. He won the German Cup and reached the semifinals of the Champions League in his first season with the club.
