Raúl Albiol

Raúl Albiol Tortajada (Spanish: [raˈul alˈβjol toɾtaˈxaða], Valencian: [raˈul albiˈɔl toɾtaˈdʒaða]; born 4 September 1985) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Villarreal and the Spain national team.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Albiol and the second or maternal family name is Tortajada.

Raúl Albiol
Albiol with Spain in 2019
Personal information
Full name Raúl Albiol Tortajada[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-04) 4 September 1985
Place of birth Vilamarxant, Spain
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender, defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Villarreal
Number 3
Youth career
1994–1996 Ribarroja
1996–1997 Vilamarxant
1997–2003 Valencia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Valencia B 35 (2)
2004–2009 Valencia 131 (5)
2004–2005 → Getafe (loan) 17 (1)
2009–2013 Real Madrid 81 (1)
2013–2019 Napoli 180 (6)
2019– Villarreal 58 (1)
National team‡
2004 Spain U19 7 (0)
2003–2005 Spain U20 4 (0)
2005–2006 Spain U21 7 (0)
2007– Spain 56 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 February 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2019

A reliable and physically strong player who excels in the air, his main asset is his versatility, as he can play as a central defender, right back or defensive midfielder.[3][4] He spent most of his career with Valencia and Real Madrid, winning five major titles with both teams combined; he amassed La Liga totals of 229 matches and seven goals over ten seasons, and also played several years in the Italian Serie A with Napoli.

A Spanish international since 2007, Albiol represented the country in two World Cups and as many European Championships, winning three tournaments including the 2010 World Cup.

Club career

Valencia

Born in Vilamarxant, Valencian Community, Albiol started playing football with two modest clubs in his native region, moving to local giants Valencia CF before celebrating his 10th birthday. He made his first-team debut on 24 September 2003 in a UEFA Cup first-round tie against AIK Fotboll, at 18 years and 20 days,[5] but spent the first year still registered with the B-side.

In August 2004, whilst travelling to sign a deal to join Getafe CF on loan, Albiol was involved in a serious car accident, being put in intensive care.[6] He managed to recover completely and, after reappearing in January, played a very important part in the Madrid side surviving the relegation battle: he made his La Liga debut on 15 January 2005 in a 1–1 home draw with Atlético Madrid,[7] and scored against another club from the capital, Real Madrid, in a 2–1 home triumph two months later.[8]

Albiol returned the following season to the Mestalla Stadium, and quickly established himself as first-choice due to his versatility. In the opening game of the 2006–07's league campaign he scored the winner (his only goal of the season) against Real Betis in a 2–1 home win.[9] He also netted from long distance against Olympiacos F.C. on 12 September 2006, in that year's UEFA Champions League, which Valencia won 4–2 away;[10] during his four-season spell with the first team, his smallest output consisted of 29 games, and he helped the Che to the 2007–08 edition of the Copa del Rey.[11]

Real Madrid
Albiol taking on Lucho González of Marseille in the Champions League in 2009

On 25 June 2009, Albiol joined Real Madrid for a fee thought to be in the region of €15 million,[12] becoming the first Spanish player signed by Florentino Pérez upon his return to the presidency. On 2 July, he was officially presented at the Santiago Bernabéu, receiving the number 18 jersey from Rubén de la Red who was absent for the season due to unresolved heart problems.[13]

Albiol scored his first goal for the Merengues on 8 December 2009, in a 3–1 Champions League win at Olympique de Marseille.[14] He was an undisputed starter during the league campaign, mainly due to Pepe's serious knee injury.[15]

In 2010–11, Albiol was relegated to the bench as Real Madrid brought in another player for his position, Ricardo Carvalho (a compatriot of newly appointed manager José Mourinho), only appearing in the league through injury or suspension to teammates (Pepe again missed several matches due to physical problems).[16][17] He did start, however, in the club's domestic cup campaign, helping it reach the final. On 26 January 2011, in the semi-final first leg against Sevilla FC (1–0 away win), he cleared a Luís Fabiano shot just before it crossed the goal line;[18] on 16 April, he was sent off for fouling former Valencia teammate David Villa inside the box during El Clásico, which resulted in the first goal in a 1–1 home draw,[19] going on to miss the Spanish Cup final four days later – through suspension – a 1–0 win against the same opponent.

On 6 August 2012, Albiol renewed his contract with Real Madrid until June 2017.[20] On 27 November, in his first game as team captain, at home against CD Alcoyano for the Spanish Cup, he had to be stretchered off after only one minute, being sidelined for approximately one month with an ankle injury.[21]

Albiol scored his second official goal for Real Madrid on 8 May 2013, heading from a corner kick for his team's first in an eventual 6–2 home win against Málaga CF.[22]

Napoli
Albiol on the ball in a friendly against Barcelona in 2014

On 21 July 2013, Albiol was sold to S.S.C. Napoli in Italy for a reported €12 million,[23] signing a four-year contract with the Rafael Benítez-led team.[24] He made his Serie A debut on 25 August, in a 3–0 home win over Bologna FC 1909.[25]

Albiol scored his first goal for his new team on 25 January 2014, an 88th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 home draw against A.C. ChievoVerona.[26] On 3 May, he played the entire final of the Coppa Italia, helping to a 3–1 success over ACF Fiorentina.[27]

Villarreal

On 4 July 2019, the 33-year-old Albiol returned to Spain and agreed to a three-year deal at Villarreal CF.[28] He made his debut on 17 August, in a 4–4 home draw to Granada CF.[29]

International career
Albiol lining up for Spain in 2009

After having represented Spain at under-21 level, Albiol first appeared for the senior squad on 13 October 2007 in an UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark, a 3–1 away win.[30] In the competition's final stages, he appeared twice for the eventual continental champions, against Sweden (subbing in for the injured Carles Puyol) and Greece.[31]

New national team coach Vicente del Bosque included Albiol in the squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. He started in Spain's first game, partnering Puyol in central defence ahead of Valencia teammate Carlos Marchena and helping defeat New Zealand 5–0.[32]

Albiol was picked for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but did not leave the bench for the eventual World champions after having suffered an injury in training.[33] Again as an unused player, he was also in the squad for the Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine, which also ended in the conquest of the trophy.

Albiol was named in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup,[34] and was also included in the final list for the tournament.[35] He made his debut in a major finals in the last group match against Australia with the Spanish already eliminated, playing the whole 90 minutes alongside Sergio Ramos in central defence in a 3–0 win.[36]

Personal life

Albiol's nickname is "El Chori".[37] His older brother, Miguel, was also a footballer. A midfielder, he was also groomed at Valencia, playing one league match with the first team, but mainly represented Rayo Vallecano. His father, also named Miguel, played lower league football mostly with Benidorm CF, and appeared in two Segunda División games for CE Sabadell FC in 1979–80; the youngest sibling, Brian, was named after Brian Laudrup, whom Raúl admired on account of his success with the Danish national team.[38][39][40]

Albiol fathered two daughters with his wife Alicia.[41][42] In 2008, with Guillermo Franco and Marcos Senna, he founded Evangélico FC, an organisation consisting of 140 athletes and 16 coaches which sought to promote Christian values among young athletes in Spain.[43]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 8 January 2021[44]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valencia B 2002–03 Segunda División B 352———352
Getafe (loan) 2004–05 La Liga 17120——191
Valencia 2003–04 La Liga 00—2[lower-alpha 1]0—20
2005–06 291403[lower-alpha 2]0—361
2006–07 3614212[lower-alpha 3]1—524
2007–08 321607[lower-alpha 3]0—451
2008–09 342206[lower-alpha 1]02[lower-alpha 4]0442
Total 1315162301201798
Real Madrid 2009–10 La Liga 330208[lower-alpha 3]1—431
2010–11 200606[lower-alpha 3]0—320
2011–12 100205[lower-alpha 3]000170
2012–13 181503[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0271
Total 811150221101192
Napoli 2013–14 Serie A 321509[lower-alpha 5]0—461
2014–15 3503012[lower-alpha 6]01[lower-alpha 7]0510
2015–16 361003[lower-alpha 8]0—391
2016–17 260306[lower-alpha 3]0—350
2017–18 313008[lower-alpha 9]0—393
2018–19 201006[lower-alpha 3]0—261
Total 1806110440102366
Villarreal 2019–20 La Liga 36120——381
2020–21 180002[lower-alpha 8]0—200
Total 5412020—581
Career total 498164629824064620
  1. All appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  2. All appearance(s) in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  3. All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  4. All appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  5. Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, ten appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. All appearance(s) in Supercoppa Italiana
  8. All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  9. Seven appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League

International
As of 18 November 2019[45]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain 200720
200880
2009110
201020
201180
201270
201360
201460
201510
201810
201940
Total560

Honours

Club

Valencia

Real Madrid

Napoli

International
Albiol (number 2) celebrating Spain's win in the 2010 World Cup

Spain

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of players" (PDF). FIFA. 4 June 2010. p. 29. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  2. "Raul Albiol". S.S.C. Napoli. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  3. Ruggiero, Luca. "Raul Albiol" (in Italian). Area Napoli. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  4. "A closer look at Spain's Euro 2012 squad". The Globe and Mail. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  5. "El Valencia toma la iniciativa" [Valencia take initiative] (in Spanish). UEFA. 25 September 2003. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  6. "Albiol reaparece tras su accidente" [Albiol reappears after accident]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 12 January 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  7. Llamas, Fernando (16 January 2005). "El Getafe paraliza a un Atlético inefable" [Getafe paralyse unheard-of Atlético]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  8. Llamas, Fernando (15 March 2005). "Getafe, otra tumba para el Real Madrid" [Getafe, another grave for Real Madrid]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  9. "Valencia 2–1 Real Betis". ESPN Soccernet. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  10. "Olympiacos undone by magic Morientes". UEFA. 12 September 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  11. "Cup triumph salvages Valencia season". UEFA. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  12. "Real Madrid sign Raul Albiol and step up Karim Benzema chase". The Daily Telegraph. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  13. Brown, Lucas (3 July 2009). "De la Red will get his number back when he returns – Real Madrid's Albiol". Goal. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  14. "Madrid march on as Marseille miss out". UEFA. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  15. "Grave lesión de Pepe: se pierde el resto de la temporada" [Serious Pepe injury: he misses rest of season]. La Nación (in Spanish). 13 December 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  16. González, Tomás (4 February 2012). "Albiol, el último de la fila" [Albiol, last in line]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  17. "Mallorca, último tren para Albiol" [Mallorca, last train for Albiol] (in Spanish). Libertad Digital. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  18. "Benzema advantage". ESPN Soccernet. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  19. "Ronaldo earns draw in el clasico". ESPN Soccernet. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  20. "Official announcement" (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  21. "Albiol, de tres a cuatro semanas de baja" [Albiol, three to four weeks out]. Marca (in Spanish). 27 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  22. "Madrid make Barca wait". ESPN FC. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
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  24. "Il Napoli ufficializza l'acquisto di Raul Albiol" [Napoli make signing of Raul Albiol official] (Press release) (in Italian). S.S.C. Napoli. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  25. Bozza, Gennaro (25 August 2013). "Napoli-Bologna 3–0: apre Callejon, poi la doppietta di super Hamsik" [Napoli-Bologna 3–0: Callejon starts it, then double by super Hamsik]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  26. "Napoli held at home". Sky Sports. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  27. "Fiorentina 1–3 Napoli: Partenopei come out on top in Coppa Italia final". Goal. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  28. "Welcome, Raúl Albiol!". Villarreal CF. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  29. Flynn, Henry (18 August 2019). "Villarreal and Granada draw in eight-goal thriller". Marca. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  30. "España sale del túnel tras su triunfo en Dinamarca (1–3)" [Spain exit tunnel after win in Denmark (1–3)]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 13 October 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  31. McKenzie, Andrew (18 June 2008). "Russia 2–0 Sweden & Greece 1–2 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  32. "La Roja lean to the left". FIFA. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  33. C., Ade (26 June 2010). "Breaking (ouch!) news: Raúl Albiol injured". World Cup Blog. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  34. "World Cup 2014: Diego Costa and Fernando Torres in Spain squad". BBC Sport. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  35. "World Cup 2014: Spain drop Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas". BBC Sport. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  36. Chowdhury, Saj (23 June 2014). "Australia 0–3 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  37. Ruiz, Marco (6 January 2010). "Nos vemos con fuerza para superar al Barça" [We can see ourselves beating Barça]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  38. Montaner, R. (13 July 2010). "Vilamarxant se emociona con Albiol" [Vilamarxant gets emotional with Albiol]. Levante-EMV (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  39. "Los hermanos Albiol frente a frente" [The Albiol brothers face to face]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 26 October 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  40. "RealAlbiol: "Mourinho nos ha dado carácter. Día a día demuestra lo gran entrenador que es"" [RealAlbiol: "Mourinho has built our character. Every day he shows the great manager he is"] (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. 17 November 2011. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  41. Torres, Diego; Tronchoni, Nadia (25 June 2009). "Acuerdo entre el Valencia y el Madrid por Albiol" [Agreement between Valencia and Madrid for Albiol]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  42. Calero, Toni (9 January 2010). "El 'alma' valenciana de Albiol" [Albiol's Valencia 'soul' (Alma in English)]. Las Provincias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  43. "Marcos Senna presentó el Evangélico FC, equipo de fútbol inspirado en los valores cristianos" [Marcos Senna presented Evangélico FC, football team inspired by Christian values] (in Spanish). Protestante Digital. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  44. "Albiol". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  45. "Raúl Albiol". European Football. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  46. "Experts' UEFA Europa League squad of the season". UEFA. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
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