Raúl Tamudo

Raúl Tamudo Montero (born October 19, 1977 in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain) is a Spanish football striker, currently a striker and the captain for RCD Espanyol.

Tamudo has won the Copa del Rey twice (2000 and 2006) with Espanyol. In the 2000 final, he scored a goal by stealing the ball from Atlético Madrid goalkeeper "Toni" Jiménez. He also played a vital role in the 2006 final, scoring a goal in the second minute of the match and subsequently assisting Luis García Fernández on the second Espanyol goal.

Tamudo was close to signing with Rangers F.C. 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 for Espanyol.

On the last matchday of the La Liga - 2006-07, Tamudo reached 112 goals scored in La Liga, making him the top all-time scorer for Espanyol. His two goals in the 2-2 draw at city rivals FC Barcelona on June 9 2007 took him past former Blanquiazul star Rafael Marañón's 1983 record of 111.

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. He made two appearances for the Spain national football team during 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

A Spain full international since 2000 (Germany national football team-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 to Denmark national football team on October 13, 2007. Incidentally, teammate Albert Riera also scored.

Honours

- Copa del Rey: Winner 2000, 2006