Raúl Albiol

football player infobox
playername = Raúl Albiol
fullname = Raúl Albiol Tortajada
height = height|m=1.87
weight = 74 kg
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|9|4
cityofbirth = Valencia
countryofbirth = Spain
currentclub = Valencia CF
clubnumber = 4
position = Centre back/defensive midfielder
youthyears = 1997–2004
youthclubs = Valencia B
years = 2004–2005
2005–
clubs = →Getafe CF (loan)
Valencia CF
caps(goals) = 017 (1)
097 (3)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = Spain
nationalcaps(goals) = 09 (0)
pcupdate = August 1, 2008
ntupdate = 7 September, 2008

Raúl Albiol Tortajada, Albiol (born 4 September 1985 in Valencia), is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central defender/defensive midfielder for Valencia CF.

Club career

Albiol's father Miguel was a famous player for the Spanish football club Benidorm CD. Whilst his father still had contacts at Benidorm, Albiol joined the side's under-9 and in a friendly match against Valencia CF he played impressively, signing on trial with the "La Liga" side. In 2004-05, Albiol had a stint with newly promoted Madrid side Getafe CF, debuting on January 15, 2005, in a 1-1 home draw with Atlético Madrid. He returned the following season to Valencia, and quickly established himself as first-choice, whether as a stopper or as an holding midfielder.

In the opening game of the 2006-07's league campaign, Albiol scored the winner (his only goal of the season) against Real Betis, as the game finished 2-1. He also netted a screamer against Olympiacos FC of Greece on September 12, 2006, in the UEFA Champions League, which Valencia won 4-2.

International career

After having represented the under-21s, Albiol debuted for the main squad on October 13, 2007, in an Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark (3-1 away win).

In the competition's final stages, he appeared twice for the eventual continental champions, against Sweden (subbing in for injured Carles Puyol) and Greece.

Personal

Albiol is the second of three brothers (Miguel (born 1981) and Brian (1995)).

Honours

flagicon|Spain Valencia CF

*Spanish Cup: 2008

flagicon|Spain Spain

*UEFA European Championship: 2008
*UEFA U-19 Championship: 2004

External links

* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=7483 Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional] es icon
* [http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_jugador.asp?j=17236&n=albiol/raul/albiol/tortajada National team data] es icon