Real Madrid legend Raul believes his natural successor in Spanish football is Athletic Bilbao’s Iker Muniain.
The 35-year-old signed for Qatari side Al Sadd from Schalke in May and in an interview published on the club’s official website named youngster Muniain as his heir apparent.
“There are several quality players around but I’ve been particularly impressed with Athletic Bilbao’s Muniain,” admitted Raul, who said he had been captivated by the 19-year-old during last season’s Europa League matches between the Bundesliga outfit and Los Leones.
Raul – scorer of three of Schalke’s four goals over the two legs while Muniain got Bilbao’s fourth in the 4-2 first leg away win at the Veltins Arena – also spoke of his time at Madrid and his departure following the arrival of Jose Mourinho and re-election of President Florentino Perez – although he insisted he did not bear a grudge.
“Leaving Madrid was my decision and I wasn’t sad about it,” he revealed.
“I had another year left on my contract but I preferred to experience something new in my professional career, which I did at Schalke.”
