Raúl Bravo is a former Spanish professional footballer known for his defensive prowess.
He played for Real Madrid from 2001 to 2007, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2002.
Bravo had a successful stint at Olympiacos F.C. from 2007 to 2011, winning multiple Greek titles.
Biography
Early Life
Raúl Bravo Sanfélix was born in Gandia, in the Valencian Community of Spain. He began his football journey at a young age, playing for local clubs before joining the prestigious youth system of Real Madrid at the age of 16. His early years were spent developing his skills in the Junior A side, where he showcased his potential as a defender.
Career
Bravo made his professional debut for Real Madrid in October 2001 against Athletic Bilbao, marking the beginning of a notable career. He played primarily as a left-back or centre-back and was part of the Real Madrid squad that won multiple titles, including La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. After a brief loan spell at Leeds United in 2003, he returned to Spain and continued to play for Real Madrid until 2007.
In July 2007, Bravo signed with Olympiacos F.C., where he enjoyed success, winning the Super League Greece and the Greek Football Cup during his tenure. His career also included stints at various clubs, including Rayo Vallecano, Córdoba CF, and G.A.S. Veria, before retiring from professional football.
International Career
Bravo represented Spain at various youth levels, including the under-16, under-17, and under-21 teams. He made his full international debut in 2002 and participated in UEFA Euro 2004, earning a total of 14 caps for the national team. His international experience contributed to his development as a player and showcased his abilities on a larger stage.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Bravo was recognized for his defensive skills and contributions to his teams. He achieved significant honors, including multiple league titles and European trophies, solidifying his place in the history of Spanish football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Bravo was capped for Spain on the under-16 level in 1997–98, when the national team won the Algarve Tournament. With the under-17s he played in the Nymburk International Tournament, scoring two goals in three matches. Bravo's full debut was on 21 August 2002 against Hungary, in a friendly. Subsequently, he was a participant at UEFA Euro 2004, playing every minute in Spain's group stage exit campaign, against Portugal, Russia and eventual champions Greece (always as a stopper); he was not recalled since, receiving a total of 14 caps.
Real Madrid
Bravo was born in Gandia, Valencian Community. After playing in his early years with two local clubs, he joined Real Madrid's youth system at 16. He was subsequently part of the Junior A side, and played for them two more seasons before arriving at the C team in Tercera División, moving to Real Madrid Castilla in Segunda División B for 2001–02. International call-ups of some players in the first team gave Bravo the chance for a La Liga debut against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu, on 6 October 2001, and he played 70 minutes in a 2–0 win. He ended up training with them – under Vicente del Bosque's management – very regularly, which eventually led to his permanent stay from the 2002–03 campaign onwards. In January 2003, Bravo started an unsuccessful six-month loan spell at Leeds United. During Euro 2004, in which he appeared for Spain, Mick McCarthy, whilst commentating for the BBC, remarked that he looked a different player to the one in his Elland Road stint; Roberto Carlos' presence, however, restricted his playing time in the Real main squad.
Olympiacos
With a chance to retain UEFA Champions League status, Bravo signed a four-year contract with Olympiacos F.C. in mid-July 2007, with the transfer fee estimated in the region of €2.3 million while the player received an annual salary of €1.3 million. After having appeared rarely due to injuries, he had a short return to Spain in the 2009 January transfer window, moving on loan to…
- Club
- Olympiacos F.C. (2007–2011)
- Club
- Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (2001–2007)
- Club
- Leeds United F.C. (2003–2003)
- Club
- Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria (2009–2009)
- Club
- Real Madrid Castilla (2001–2002)
- Club
- Real Madrid C (2000–2001)
- Club
- Beerschot A.C. (2012–2013)
- Club
- Rayo Vallecano (2011–2012)
- Club
- G.A.S. Veria (2014–2015)
- Club
- Córdoba CF (2013–2014)
- Club
- Aris Thessaloniki F.C. (2015–2016)
- Club
- G.A.S. Veria (2016–)
- Club
- Spain national under-16 association football team (1998–1998)
- Club
- Spain national under-17 association football team (1998–1998)
- Club
- Spain national under-21 association football team (2002–2002)
- Club
- Spain men's national football team (2002–2004)
- League
- Premier League
- National team
- Spain
Legacy
Real Madrid
La Liga: 2002–03, 2006–07 Supercopa de España: 2003 UEFA Champions League: 2001–02 UEFA Super Cup: 2002 Olympiacos
Super League Greece: 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11 Greek Football Cup: 2007–08
Clubs
- G.A.S. Veria2016current
- Spain national under-16 association football team1998–1998
- Spain national under-17 association football team1998–1998
- Real Madrid C2000–2001
- Real Madrid Castilla2001–2002
- Real Madrid Club de Fútbol2001–2007
- Spain men's national football team2002–2004
- Spain national under-21 association football team2002–2002
- Leeds United F.C.2003–2003
- Olympiacos F.C.2007–2011
- Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria2009–2009
- Rayo Vallecano2011–2012
- Beerschot A.C.2012–2013
- Córdoba CF2013–2014
- G.A.S. Veria2014–2015
- Aris Thessaloniki F.C.2015–2016
Played together with
Aapo HalmeLeeds United F.C.
Aaron LennonLeeds United F.C. · 2003–2005
Aaron MokoenaBeerschot A.C. · 2001–2001- Aaron MokoenaBeerschot A.C. · 2002–2002
Aarón MartínSpain national under-21 association football team
Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-16 association football team · 2004–2005- Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-17 association football team · 2005–2006
- Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-21 association football team · 2008–2009
- Abass LawallCórdoba CF · 2001–2002
- Abdelkader OueslatiClub Deportivo Numancia de Soria · 2014–2015
Abdoulaye BaRayo Vallecano · 2014–2015- Abdoulaye BaRayo Vallecano · 2017–2020
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Raúl Bravo Sanfélix is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back or centre-back.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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