
Over the course of 32 years from 1966 to 1998, Real Madrid had to content itself with only two UEFA Cup victories. However, Raul, the prodigal son, would one day become the natural successor to Emilio Butragueño. Raul came up against Zidane for the first time, in a Juventus shirt, on the 20th of May 1998 in the Champions League final and at last the seventh title was theirs thanks to a goal by Predrag Mijatovic. Modern-day Real Madrid was taking off once again and in the midst of that Real Madrid rediscovered its own legend.
“Raul is an obvious example of what a good Real Madrid player should be. He is an exemplary sportsman who uphold many of the values of Alfredo Di Stefano. Values established by Di Stefano. He is a fighter and he never gives up. He’s always keen to better himself. He’s a winner. These are qualities which are always attributed to Real Madrid.” (Emilio Butragueño)