This is the story of the guy who put Emilio Butragueño on the bench of Real Madrid. A guy who has the highest number of goals and games in the white tunic, but no Golden Ball. In 2002-2003, the Spaniard is at the top, while his body is his misery. Back on a season in paradise.

A left foot. A kiss on his wedding ring when he scores a goal. An immortal number 7, flocked on a pristine white jersey. He is Raul. In 2002, the Spanish Real Madrid striker is 25 and is at his climax.. He is already a superstar and a figurehead of Adidas. Triple winner of the Champions League (1998, 2000 and 2002), he began this season with the Galacticos of Real and want to do the back-to-back. That, nobody has ever done since the great Sacchi Milan between 1989 and 1990.

Now the team counts legends like Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo, Real has an exceptional attacking quartet. Nobody can boast such a team on the continent.

It is said that this armada will break everything in its path. Becoming the fourth highest scorer in the history of Real – to Hugo Sanchez (207), but surpassed by Ferenc Puskás (236), Carlos Santillana ( 290) and Alfredo Di Stéfano (307) – and top scorer of the Spanish team during this season. A Roja where he has also become the captain during the summer. In short, everything is going well for number 7 of Madrid. All except the dominance provided on the European scene. Because in Spain, La Liga is validated despite the exceptional career of Real Sociedad (two points in the final). Raul goes of the 16 goals in 31 games.

C1, the only regret

On the European scene, he does the job with new goals in twelve games. His game is really good. With Zidane and Figo in midfield and the duo Raul-Ronaldo to finish, it’s enjoyable. Raul knows and enjoys. The measures include a double against the eventual winner, AC Milan in the group stage, but also the way he has to destroy Manchester United in the quarter-finals (3-1, double).

At 25 years. In the spring, when he was recovering from an operation of the appendix, the Spaniard is probably the best striker in Europe. Far ahead of Thierry Henry and Sheva. In the semifinals, Real draws Juventus Pavel Nedved, yet promised Golden Ball. The double confrontation is cut short and Real bade farewell to his dream tenth cup. Six months later, the Spaniard is the eternal forgotten of theBallon d’Or as he does not even finish in the top five. Who cares…

In 2002, he captains both Real and Spain.Today, he is the best scorer of the Champions League. Competition he had discovered at 17 years of age. At that time, Zamorano was the star of the Real. Raul, a little pretentious boy he was. Since then, many things have changed. And for the better.