While essentially just a friendly—and set smack dab in the middle of the week after Real Madrid's opening win against Betis, 2-1—this game will take on a different air of importance from most friendlies with Raul in the house.
Of course, there will be a game to focus on as well, so let's break down this midseason match.
The former Real Madrid captain and current Al Sadd player will play for each team, splitting his allegiances temporarily in this friendly. He'll spend one half with Real Madrid and one half with Al Sadd, an honor for a player who spent 16 seasons for Real Madrid and scored an incredible 228 La Liga goals.
The Spanish giants have made the Tottenham forward their number one transfer target and are expected to confirm his signing for a world record £85million before the end of the transfer window.
Raul was a Real regular when they previously broke transfer records in recruiting Luis Figo for £37m in 2000, Zinedine Zidane for £50m in 2001, Kaka for £56m in 2009 and Cristiano Ronaldo for £80m a week later, but for all that he admires Bale and recognises what it is he can potentially bring to his boyhood team, he is regardless concerned about the significant sums of money being discussed.
After a brief stay with Schalke, Raul joined Al Sadd in 2012, presumably where he will close out his career. A Real Madrid, La Liga, Champions League and Spanish legend, the forward still has a bit of magic left in his boots and probably will score a goal or two in this one.
When: Thursday, August 22 at 4:30 p.m. ET
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
