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Raúl Albiol Tortajada (born 4 September 1985 in Vilamarxant, Spain) is a Spanish footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid in La Liga. He also plays for the Spanish national team. Albiol's main asset is his versatility, as he can play as either a central defender, a defensive midfielder or at right back. Albiol's father Miguel was a famous player for modest Benidorm CD. Whilst his father still had contacts at Benidorm, the son joined the side's under-9 and in a friendly match against Valencia CF he played impressively, signing on trial with the Spanish first division side. He made his first team debut on September 24, 2003, in a UEFA Cup first-round contest against AIK Stockholm, but spent the first year still registered with the B side. In August 2004, whilst on route to sign a deal to join Getafe CF on loan, Albiol was involved in a serious car accident and ended up in intensive care. He managed to recover completely and, after reappering in January, played a very important part in the Madrid side's successful campaign against top flight relegation; making his first division debut on January 15, 2005, in a 1–1 home draw with Atlético de Madrid, he scored against another side from the capital, Real Madrid, in a 2–1 home triumph, two months later. Albiol then returned the following season to Valencia, and quickly established himself as first-choice, whether as a central defender or a holding midfielder. In the opening game of the 2006–07's league campaign, he 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 away. |
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