Raúl González Blanco
~Raúl
Jun 27' 1977
Spain
The Exhilarating Story...
Raúl González Blanco, universally known as Raúl, was born on June 27, 1977, in Madrid, Spain. Raised in the modest neighborhood of San Cristóbal de los Ángeles, Raúl's early life was shaped by his parents, Pedro González and María Luisa Blanco. His father, an electrician, and his mother, a homemaker, instilled in him the values of hard work and perseverance. Raúl's football journey began in the youth ranks of Atlético Madrid. However, in a twist of fate, Atlético's president, Jesús Gil, decided to shut down the club's youth academy due to financial constraints. This decision left young Raúl without a team, a significant setback for any aspiring footballer. Undeterred, Raúl's talent caught the attention of Real Madrid scouts. In 1992, he joined Real Madrid's youth academy, La Fábrica. His dedication and skill quickly propelled him through the ranks, and by 1994, at just 17 years old, he made his first-team debut under coach Jorge Valdano. This opportunity marked the beginning of an illustrious career with Los Blancos. Despite his rapid ascent, Raúl faced challenges. Transitioning from youth to professional football is daunting, and the pressure at a club like Real Madrid is immense. However, with the guidance of seasoned teammates like Fernando Hierro and the unwavering support of his family, Raúl adapted and thrived. His resilience was evident as he became a regular starter, showcasing a maturity beyond his years. Over the next 16 years with Real Madrid, Raúl's achievements were monumental. He became the club's all-time top scorer, a record he held until surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo. He also became the player with the most appearances in the club's history, featuring in 741 official matches. His leadership qualities were recognized when he was named team captain in 2003, a role he held until his departure in 2010. Raúl's international career was equally impressive. He earned 102 caps for the Spanish national team, scoring 44 goals, making him Spain's leading scorer at the time. He represented his country in three FIFA World Cups and two European Championships, embodying the spirit and passion of Spanish football. In 2010, seeking new challenges, Raúl joined German club Schalke 04. Despite initial skepticism about his ability to adapt to the Bundesliga, he silenced critics by leading Schalke to the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup titles. His time in Germany further cemented his reputation as a world-class striker. Raúl's career later took him to Al Sadd in Qatar and eventually to the New York Cosmos in the United States. At each stop, he brought professionalism, experience, and a winning mentality, contributing significantly both on and off the pitch. After retiring as a player, Raúl returned to Real Madrid in 2017 as an advisor to the president. He pursued coaching qualifications and took charge of Real Madrid's youth teams, achieving success by winning the UEFA Youth League in 2020. Currently, he manages Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team, nurturing the next generation of talent. Raúl's journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication. From facing early career setbacks to becoming a footballing legend, his story inspires aspiring athletes worldwide. His legacy is not just in the records he set but in the example he provides of overcoming adversity through hard work and determination.
“
We have to instill concepts like a strong work ethic and humility. We can help society because we are privileged and a lot of children look up to us.
Career
Last updated: Apr 01' 2025
Real Madrid
- Career: 1994–2010
- Appearances: 741
- Goals: 323
Schalke 04
- Career: 2010–2012
- Appearances: 66
- Goals: 28
Al Sadd
- Career: 2012–2014
- Appearances: 39
- Goals: 11
New York Cosmos
- Career: 2014–2015
- Appearances: 28
- Goals: 8
Spain
- Career: 1996–2006
- Appearances: 102
- Goals: 44
Achievements
Real Madrid
- 6× La Liga
- 4× Supercopa de España
- 3× UEFA Champions League
- 1× UEFA Super Cup
- 2× Intercontinental Cup
Schalke 04
- 1× DFB-Pokal
- 1× DFL-Supercup
Al Sadd
- 1× Qatar Stars League
- 1× Emir of Qatar Cup
- 1× Qatar Crown Prince Cup
- 1× Sheikh Jassim Cup
New York Cosmos
- 1× NASL Soccer Bowl
Individual
- 1× UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship top goalscorer
- 1× La Liga Breakthrough Player
- 4× Zarra Trophy
- 5× La Liga Best Spanish Player
- 1× La Liga Team of the Decade
- 3× ESM Team of the Year
- 2× Pichichi Trophy
- 2× Copa del Rey top goalscorer
- 1× IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer
- 2× UEFA Champions League top goalscorer
- 1× UEFA Champions League top assist provider
- 3× UEFA Club Forward of the Year
- 1× UEFA European Football Championship Team of the Tournament
- 1× Ballon d'Or runner-up
- 1× FIFA World Player of the Year bronze award
- 1× FIFA 100
- 1× Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano
- 1× Sportske Novosti Award
- 1× Marca Leyenda
- 3× Golden Foot Award runner-up
- 4× Goal of the Month in Germany
- 2× Goal of the Year in Germany
- 1× Qatar Stars League Fair Play Award
- 1× NASL Player of the Month
Celebrating
Palacios
Football
Sep 04' 2025
Celebrating Grit & Growth Exequiel Palacios.
Exequiel Alejandro Palacios was born on October 5, 1998, in Famailla, in the province of Tucumán, Argentina. His parents, Mariela Rodríguez from the rural area of Sumampa in Santiago del Estero and Luis Palacios from Tucumán, raised him in humble beginnings. When he was just two months old, his family moved to General San Martín in Buenos Aires. That move planted the early seeds of his future in a city with stronger football culture. Growing up, football was both escape and aspiration. Young Exequiel faced countless challenges typical to many young athletes: limited resources, intense competition, and the need to stand out to secure opportunities. Yet his talent was noticeable and his dedication unwavering as he rose through the youth ranks of River Plate. At age 17, he made his league debut for River Plate on November 8, 2015, entering the game against Newell’s Old Boys. It was a moment of vindication for years of sacrifice and perseverance. That breakthrough began a period during which he became instrumental in River’s success. In 2018, Palacios was part of the River Plate squad that clinched the Copa Libertadores. He contributed across 11 matches including the epic final against Boca Juniors. That same year, he earned a place in the South American Team of the Year, milestones that reflected his determination and progression. In January 2020 he took a major step forward by joining German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a long-term deal. It was a bold transition—leaving his homeland to embrace new challenges abroad. He helped his team win the 2023‑24 Bundesliga, Germany’s domestic cup, and Supercup, playing a solid role in their historic success. His national team journey faced a frightening moment in November 2020 when he fractured a bone in his spine during a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. Doctors anticipated a three‑month recovery. For most athletes, such an injury could derail a career. Yet Exequiel’s mental strength, along with medical and support teams, saw him return to top form. Back in full health he was part of Argentina’s Copa América victory over Brazil in 2021 and later contributed to their 2022 World Cup triumph. In 2024, he was again part of Argentina’s victorious Confederations Cup–style title, continuing his national‑team legacy. Most recently in August 2025 he returned from a hamstring injury and was named on the bench for Bayer Leverkusen’s match against Werder Bremen. His resilience after yet another setback shows his relentless spirit and readiness to fight for opportunities. This journey shows how drive, support, and vision transform ambition into achievement. That is where 8lete steps in as a beacon for young athletes. 8lete’s platform connects emerging players with mentors, training resources, medical support, and success stories like Palacios’s. By providing structured guidance and encouragement at every stage, 8lete can help talented youth navigate trials and stay committed to their dreams. Exequiel Alejandro Palacios’s story from a small town boy to a Bundesliga champion and World Cup winner embodies grit, community, and growth. It reminds us that with the right tools, support, and mindset, young players can reach elite levels. Through 8lete, aspiring athletes gain access to the guidance and infrastructure that turn potential into accomplishment. Let Palacios’s path inspire the next generation to believe, work, and succeed.
READ MORE
Celebrating
Senna
Football
Sep 02' 2025
Celebrating Support & Perseverance Marcos Senna.
Born on 17 July 1976 in São Paulo, Brazil, Marcos Antônio Senna da Silva grew up playing football in poverty, his earliest games woven into the rough streets of his youth. His story begins not in lavish academies, but with a passion that drove him to dream bigger. Senna’s start was far from spectacular. He spent his early career in the lower tiers, featuring for Rio Branco, Corinthians, Juventude, and São Caetano. These formative years were a test of patience, determination, and unwavering belief. In 2002, a modest €600,000 move to Villarreal opened a new chapter. Though coming late to broader recognition, he embraced it, steadily becoming the heartbeat of a rising club. Injuries could have derailed him. A serious knee injury in 2003, one of four he endured, threatened to halt his ascent. Yet with faith and resolve, he rebounded. Drawing strength from his Christian values, he leaned on inner peace during his recovery. What set Senna apart wasn’t flair but intelligence. His playing style was simple, direct, and effective. He earned trust through disciplined positioning, precise passing, and a calming presence in midfield. His humility shone through in an understated grace that defined his legacy. Naturalised in 2006, Senna joined the Spain national team. He played a pivotal role in their Euro 2008 victory scoring in the penalty shootout and anchoring midfield with composed authority. This triumph transformed both his career and legacy. Back at Villarreal, he delivered memorable moments like his “best goal of my life” scored from inside the centre circle against Real Betis and captained the side through highs and lows, including relegation and resurgence. Later, he returned as the club’s director of international relations, continuing to inspire. Behind Senna’s resilience were companions, coaches, and inner convictions - Luis Aragonés who invited him to Spain, teammates who trusted him, mentors in faith. These networks buoyed him through every stumble and success. The lessons from Senna’s path resonate: Embrace humility and grind Lean on faith or values during adversity Let mentors and community guide you Play with clarity, not flash 8lete embodies these principles providing young athletes with mentorship, tailored guidance, and the mental resilience to thrive, just as Senna did. At 8lete, we believe in building journeys, not just talents. Like Senna overcoming his early anonymity, injuries, and late bloom into international acclaim, young players today need not be defined by where they begin, but by how they grow with support, perseverance, and smart training.
READ MORE
Celebrating
Gio
Football
Sep 01' 2025
Celebrating Courage & Perseverance Giovani Lo Celso.
Giovani Lo Celso was born on April 9, 1996, in the vibrant football city of Rosario, Argentina - a place that has produced legends and instilled a deep footballing passion in him from childhood. He is the third child of Sandra and Juan Lo Celso, growing up with two older sisters and a younger brother, Francesco, who also went on to become a professional footballer. From an early age, Giovani was immersed in football culture. Rosario’s streets and local pitches shaped his ambition. At just 14, he joined Rosario Central’s youth academy, dedicating himself to nurturing raw talent into refined skill. By age 19, Giovani made his senior debut for Rosario Central. His breakthrough season featured a first senior goal, memorable match moments, and steadily rising recognition across Argentina’s top league. In 2016 he signed with Paris Saint-Germain, a dream move that positioned him among world‑class stars. While the transition was thrilling, adapting to life abroad required resilience amid limited opportunities. Seeking more playtime, he moved on loan to Real Betis in 2018. There, he rediscovered his form, showcasing leadership and flair and convincing the club to sign him permanently. A loan to Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 became permanent. Though marked by flashes of brilliance - including Champions League moments and Premier League goals - his time in London was disrupted by injuries and a feeling of disconnection from the team’s core. In August 2024, Giovani returned to Real Betis. Instantly impactful, he scored in successive matches and reclaimed his confidence. Under coach Manuel Pellegrini, he flourished in a nurturing, family‑like environment. By August 2025 he had emerged as a leader on the field - motivating teammates, scoring vital goals, and embodying the spirit of Betis as the team began a new chapter of ambition and unity. Just recently, Giovani delivered a precise corner that led to a headed goal in a 1‑1 draw against Celta Vigo, adding to his tally of goal involvements in the early season. Giovani’s journey exemplifies how the right support system transforms potential into greatness. 8lete mirrors this by offering personalized training plans, mentorship, mental resilience coaching, and holistic development helping aspiring athletes navigate setbacks, harness their strengths, and rewrite their story, much like Giovani did. Giovani Lo Celso’s path from Rosario’s local fields to European finals, marked by personal struggle, reinvention, and leadership resonates with any young player chasing dreams. It shows that perseverance, guided support, and the courage to embrace new beginnings can ignite a fulfilling career.
