Raúl Tamudo
Encyclopedia
Raúl Tamudo Montero is a Spanish
footballer who currently plays for Rayo Vallecano
as a striker.
An icon at Espanyol
, he captained the club for almost a decade, playing in more than 400 official games - winning two Copa del Rey
trophies - and being the club's all-time top goal scorer.
's youth ranks, Tamudo served two second division
six-month loans before finally settling in 1999–2000. From there on, he became an undisputed starter for the team, never netting in single digits during nine La Liga
seasons, while helping the Catalans
to two Spanish Cups
: in the 2000 final, he scored by stealing the ball from Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Toni Jiménez
, with his head. He also played a vital role in the 2006 edition, scoring in the second minute of the match and subsequently assisting Luis García
on the second Espanyol goal.
Tamudo was close to signing with Rangers
in 2001, only to see the move fail at the last minute due to a failed medical. Two days later, he scored a hat-trick
in the UEFA Cup match against Grazer AK
(4–0 home win, 4–1 aggregate).
On the last matchday of the 2006–07 season, Tamudo reached 112 goals scored in the first division, making him the top all-time scorer for Espanyol. His two goals in the 2–2 draw at city rivals FC Barcelona
, on 9 June 2007, took him past former Blanquiazul star Marañón
's 1983 record of 111, and helped Real Madrid
clinch the league title. In that season's UEFA Cup, he contributed with two goals in seven outings to the side's runner-up campaign, against fellow league side Sevilla FC
. Merely four months after that game, he struck three minutes from time to give Espanyol a 3–2 win at the same rival.
Some injury problems and loss of form limited Tamudo in the following two seasons, and he lost the starting job midway through 2008–09 to newly signed Uruguay
an Iván Alonso
; however, in the last day of the campaign, he scored three past Málaga CF
in a 3–0 home success (which was good enough for leading the team in goals once again, at six), being replaced to a standing ovation.
The 2009–10 campaign
was nothing short of disastrous for Tamudo, in sporting terms: again, he struggled with some injuries, was ostracized by manager (and former teammate) Mauricio Pochettino
and confronted with the board of directors over contractual issues; his status was further diminished in the January transfer window, with the signing of another Argentine
, Pablo Osvaldo
, and he eventually finished the campaign with only six league matches (no goals).
, who returned to the top division
after a three-year absence. He scored three times in his first four official matches, but the Basque
only collected one point, losing against Real Madrid
(1–2, home) and CA Osasuna
(1–3).
On 26 August 2011, Tamudo signed a one-year contract with Rayo Vallecano
, freshly promoted to the top level
.
since August 16, 2000 (Germany
-Spain, 4–1), Tamudo returned to the lineup after a two-year absence to score a vital goal in a 3–1 Euro 2008 qualifier away win against Denmark
on 13 October 2007. Incidentally, Espanyol teammate Albert Riera
also scored.
Previously, Tamudo was part of Spain's silver medal-winning team
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
, scoring a goal in the semi-final match against the United States
.
Spain U23
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who currently plays for Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
as a striker.
An icon at Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, he captained the club for almost a decade, playing in more than 400 official games - winning two Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
trophies - and being the club's all-time top goal scorer.
Espanyol
A product of local side RCD EspanyolRCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
's youth ranks, Tamudo served two second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
six-month loans before finally settling in 1999–2000. From there on, he became an undisputed starter for the team, never netting in single digits during nine La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
seasons, while helping the Catalans
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
to two Spanish Cups
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: in the 2000 final, he scored by stealing the ball from Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Toni Jiménez
Antonio Jiménez Sistachs
Antonio Jiménez Sistachs , sometimes just Toni, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.-Club career:...
, with his head. He also played a vital role in the 2006 edition, scoring in the second minute of the match and subsequently assisting Luis García
Luis García Fernández
Luis García Fernández is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza mainly as a striker .-Real Madrid / early years:...
on the second Espanyol goal.
Tamudo was close to signing with Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in 2001, only to see the move fail at the last minute due to a failed medical. Two days later, he scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in the UEFA Cup match against Grazer AK
Grazer AK
Grazer AK, founded 18 August 1902 as Grazer Athletik-Sport Klub , is an Austrian sports club, from the city of Graz in the federal state of Styria . The football section is one of the most traditional Austrian clubs, most successful in the decade 1995 – 2005...
(4–0 home win, 4–1 aggregate).
On the last matchday of the 2006–07 season, Tamudo reached 112 goals scored in the first division, making him the top all-time scorer for Espanyol. His two goals in the 2–2 draw at city rivals FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, on 9 June 2007, took him past former Blanquiazul star Marañón
Marañón (footballer)
Rafael Carlos Pérez González , aka Marañón, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a striker.Even though he started professionally at Real Madrid, his career was mainly associated with Español.-Club career:...
's 1983 record of 111, and helped Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
clinch the league title. In that season's UEFA Cup, he contributed with two goals in seven outings to the side's runner-up campaign, against fellow league side Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
. Merely four months after that game, he struck three minutes from time to give Espanyol a 3–2 win at the same rival.
Some injury problems and loss of form limited Tamudo in the following two seasons, and he lost the starting job midway through 2008–09 to newly signed Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an Iván Alonso
Iván Alonso
Iván Daniel Alonso Vallejo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays for Deportivo Toluca F.C. in the Primera División Mexicana, as a striker....
; however, in the last day of the campaign, he scored three past Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
in a 3–0 home success (which was good enough for leading the team in goals once again, at six), being replaced to a standing ovation.
The 2009–10 campaign
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
was nothing short of disastrous for Tamudo, in sporting terms: again, he struggled with some injuries, was ostracized by manager (and former teammate) Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a central defender, and the current coach of RCD Espanyol.-Club career:...
and confronted with the board of directors over contractual issues; his status was further diminished in the January transfer window, with the signing of another Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Pablo Osvaldo
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is an Argentine-born Italian footballer, who plays as a striker for Serie A club for Roma.-Club career:...
, and he eventually finished the campaign with only six league matches (no goals).
Later years
In early August 2010, at nearly 33, Tamudo signed a one-year contract with Real SociedadReal Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, who returned to the top division
2009–10 Segunda División
The 2009–10 Segunda División was made up of the following teams:-League table:||rowspan=15 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-2009–10 Results:To read this table, the home team is listed in the left-hand column....
after a three-year absence. He scored three times in his first four official matches, but the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
only collected one point, losing against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
(1–2, home) and CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
(1–3).
On 26 August 2011, Tamudo signed a one-year contract with Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, freshly promoted to the top level
2010–11 Segunda División
-Personnel and sponsorship:-Managerial changes:-League table:||style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=11 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Positions by round:Source: -Results:...
.
International career
A full internationalSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
since August 16, 2000 (Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
-Spain, 4–1), Tamudo returned to the lineup after a two-year absence to score a vital goal in a 3–1 Euro 2008 qualifier away win against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
on 13 October 2007. Incidentally, Espanyol teammate Albert Riera
Albert Riera
Albert Riera Ortega is a Spanish footballer who plays for Galatasaray SK in Turkey, as a left winger.He made a name for himself at Espanyol , and also played professionally in France, England and Greece.Riera gained 16 caps for Spain, representing...
also scored.
Previously, Tamudo was part of Spain's silver medal-winning team
Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, scoring a goal in the semi-final match against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
.
Honours
Espanyol- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 1999–2000, 2005–06 - UEFA Cup: Runner-up 2006–07
Spain U23
- Summer Olympic GamesSummer Olympic GamesThe Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
: Silver medalSilver medalA silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
2000Football at the 2000 Summer OlympicsThe football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...