Raúl Albiol

Raúl Albiol Tortajada (born 4 September 1985 in Valencia (city in Spain)) is a Spanish footballer (soccer) who plays as a defender for Valencia CF. He previously played on loan for the 2004/2005 season at Getafe CF, where he got enough experience in La Liga to become a regular
starter in Valencia.

Albiol played in the opening game of the La Liga season 2006/2007 season against Real Betis and scored the winner as the game finished 2-1.

Albiol scored a screamer against Olympiacos of Greece on 12th September 2006 in the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League, which Valencia won 4-2.

Albiol's father was a famous player for the Spanish football club Benidorm CD. Whilst his father still had contacts at Benidorm he had wanted Albiol to join them at age 9 and he did join the Benidorm Under 9s and in a friendly match against Valencia CF he had played very impressively. Immediately the Valencia coach asked Albiol's father if he could have a trial at Valencia, and he got in straight away gliding through the ranks and now looks to be one Spain's big prospects for the future.
Raul Albiol has admired Spain and Valencia defender Carlos Marchena saying that he watches him and takes notes down and would love to have the same career as him.