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Raul GarciaSpanish footballer, midfielder
Date of Birth: 11.07.1986
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Raúl García: A Versatile Midfield Master
- Success with Atlético Madrid
- Return to Osasuna and International Career
Raúl García: A Versatile Midfield Master
Early Career at OsasunaRaúl García, born in Pamplona, Spain, began his professional career at hometown club Osasuna. A versatile central midfielder, he made his debut for Osasuna's first team on October 28, 2004, in a 3-0 away defeat to Barcelona. Under coach Javier Aguirre, García became a regular in the following season, scoring his first goal for Osasuna on October 26, 2005, against Athletic Bilbao. Osasuna finished fourth that season, earning a spot in European competition.
García played a key role in Osasuna's run to the UEFA Cup semi-finals, scoring one goal in 12 appearances. His impressive performances caught the attention of Atlético Madrid, and in July 2007, he joined the Madrid club for a reported €13 million.
Success with Atlético Madrid
García initially thrived at Atlético under Aguirre. He was part of the team that won the Europa League in 2010, playing the full 90 minutes plus extra time in the final against Fulham. However, his playing time diminished after the arrival of Tiago Mendes in January 2010.
Despite his reduced role, García continued to contribute to Atlético's success. He scored a crucial goal against Barcelona from a corner kick in the 2010-2011 season, helping Atlético qualify for the Europa League. García was also a key player in Atlético's 2010 UEFA Super Cup victory over Inter Milan.
Return to Osasuna and International Career
In 2011-2012, García returned to Osasuna on loan. He continued to score important goals, including one against Barcelona. García represented Spain at the youth level, making over 20 appearances for the under-21 team and participating in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He also played several games for Spain's under-19 team, showcasing his versatility and potential.
