Raul Breaks Goal-Scoring Record

Real Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez Blanco has broken yet another record in his career, this evening equalling the great Santillana's goal-scoring record for Madrid, with the all-time record held by Alfredo Di Stefano in sight...

Raul is already the all-time top-scorer in the history of the European Cup to name one of several records. His 290th goal for Madrid tonight - a fine strike against Sevilla to put his side back in front - put him level with Carlos Alonso Gonzalez, nicknamed Santillana - a deadly striker for los Blancos in the 70s and 80s.

Alfredo Di Stefano, a legend of the 50s and 60s and currently the club's honorary president, holds the all-time record with 307 strikes.

Despite Di Stefano's lack of international exposure for many mitigating circumstances, he has regularly been spoken of in the same breath as Pele and Maradona, and for Raul to break a record held by such a great would be remarkable in this day and age.

He has already passed undisputed legends such as Ferenc Puskas, Hugo Sanchez, Gento and Emilio Butragueno in his 14-year career, beginning when he debuted against Real Zaragoza at 17 years of age.

The Prince of Spain has netted 202 goals in La Liga, 61 in the Champions League, 15 in the Copa del Rey, seven in the Spanish Super Cup, two in the World Club Championship and a goal each in the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

It is an extraordinary range of goals and, in such great shape, he is likely to grab the 18 goals required to surpass Di Stefano's record next season.

Raul is also second in for Madrid in terms of games played. Tonight he played his 648th game for the club, with Manolo Sanchis leading the way with 712 appearances. This record is slightly further out of sight, but another three or perhaps four seasons could well see him break that record as well.

President Ramon Calderon took a moment to pay tribute to the legendary skipper.

"What delights me most is Raúl's attitude," he said. "He is a symbol, an extraordinary player that has broken practically every record.

"He is living a second youth and his teammates look up to him as to a leader."

Totti: Ballon D’Or Is Fixed!

Roma talisman Francesco Totti has launched a sensational attack at the selection process for the Ballon d’Or award, and says the fact that a player like Raul has never won the prize proves that it is fixed.

Real Madrid symbol Raul has had a stunning club career, and was a major protagonist in the Merengues Champions League victories from 1998, 2000 and 2002.

Despite also being the all-time top scorer in the Champions League, as well as winning a host of other individual and team honours, Raul has surprisingly never won the coveted Ballon d’Or.

Roma captain Francesco Totti, who has also been repeatedly snubbed in the past, believes it is all a fix.

“I think it’s a scandal that such a good player [Raul] who has scored everywhere and won everything has never received the Ballon d’Or,” he roared.

“The fact that a player can score 20 or 30 goals and win the Champions League and the Scudetto but not the Ballon d’Or suggests that it’s all pre-decided.

“I think that 2000 was my best chance. It was the year after we won the Scudetto, we did well in the Champions League and could have won it, but I don’t know what I had to do to win the Ballon d’Or.”

Alessio Alexis