Raúl Tamudo

Raúl Tamudo
Tamudo with Sabadell in 2014
Personal information
Full name Raúl Tamudo Montero[1]
Date of birth (1977-10-19) 19 October 1977[1]
Place of birth Santa Coloma, Spain
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position Striker
Youth career
Fórum
Gramenet
1992–1996 Espanyol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Espanyol B 46 (20)
1997–2010 Espanyol 340 (129)
1998 → Alavés (loan) 6 (0)
1999 → Lleida (loan) 14 (5)
2010–2011 Real Sociedad 31 (7)
2011–2012 Rayo Vallecano 32 (9)
2012 Pachuca 9 (0)
2013 Rayo Vallecano 4 (1)
2013–2015 Sabadell 32 (8)
Total 514 (179)
International career
1997 Spain U20 1 (0)
1998–2000 Spain U21 11 (5)
2000 Spain U23 6 (1)
2000–2007 Spain 13 (5)
1998–2000 Catalonia 2 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Spain
Men's football
Summer Olympics
Silver medal – second place2000 SydneyTeam
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Raúl Tamudo Montero (born 19 October 1977) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker.

An icon at Espanyol, he captained the club for almost a decade, playing 389 official games, winning two Copa del Rey trophies and being their all-time top scorer with 140 goals.[2][3][4] He amassed La Liga totals of 407 matches and 146 goals over 17 seasons, also representing Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano in the competition.[5]

Tamudo was an international for Spain in the 2000s.

Club career

Espanyol

Born in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Catalonia,[6] Tamudo was a product of Espanyol's youth ranks who bought him from local Gramenet for six footballs,[7] and he served two Segunda División six-month loans before finally settling in 1999–2000.[8] From there on, he became an undisputed starter for the team, never scoring in single digits during nine La Liga seasons[9] and helping the Pericos to two Copa del Rey trophies: in the 2000 final against Atlético Madrid, he netted by stealing the ball from goalkeeper Toni Jiménez with his head;[10] he also played a vital role in the 2006 edition, scoring in the second minute of the match and subsequently providing an assist for Luis García on the second goal.[11]

Tamudo was close to signing with Rangers in 2000,[12] only to see the move fail at the last minute due to a failed medical. Two days later, he scored once in the UEFA Cup match against Grazer AK (4–0 home win, 4–1 aggregate).[13]

On the last matchday of the 2006–07 campaign, Tamudo reached 112 goals in the top division to make him the all-time scorer for Espanyol,[14] his brace in the 2–2 away draw against city rivals Barcelona on 9 June 2007 taking him past Marañón's 1983 record and allowing Real Madrid to clinch the title.[15] In that year's UEFA Cup, he contributed two goals in seven games to the side's runner-up campaign which ended at the hands of fellow Spaniards Sevilla;[16] four months after that match, he struck three minutes from time for a 3–2 away victory over the same opponents.[17]

Some injury problems[18][19] and loss of form limited Tamudo in the following two seasons, and he lost the starting job midway through 2008–09 to newly signed Uruguayan Iván Alonso; however, in the last matchday, he scored three past Málaga in a 3–0 home win – which was good enough for leading the team in goals once again, at six – being replaced to a standing ovation.[20]

2009–10 was nothing short of disastrous for Tamudo, in sporting terms: again, he struggled with some injuries, was ostracised by manager and former teammate Mauricio Pochettino, who also deprived him of his captain armband during preseason in favour of club youth graduate Daniel Jarque,[21] and confronted the board of directors over contractual issues;[22] his status was further diminished in the January transfer window with the signing of another Argentine, Dani Osvaldo,[23] and he eventually finished the campaign with only six league games and no goals.[24]

Real Sociedad

In late July 2010, Tamudo signed a one-year contract with Real Sociedad, who returned to the top tier after a three-year absence.[25] He scored three times in his first four official appearances, but the Basques only collected one point, losing against Real Madrid (2–1, at home)[26] and Osasuna (3–1).[27]

Rayo Vallecano

Tamudo playing for Rayo Vallecano on his return to the Cornellà-El Prat Stadium in March 2012

On 26 August 2011, Tamudo moved to Rayo Vallecano on a one-year deal,[28] recently promoted to the main division. He was a starter throughout most of his first season, notably scoring against his former employers Espanyol but in a 5–1 away loss.[29]

On 13 May 2012, Tamudo was brought from the bench for the game's only goal in the 90th minute at home against Granada in the last matchday, with the Madrid outskirts team finally avoiding relegation at the expense of Villarreal.[30]

Later career

Tamudo moved abroad for the first time at the age of 34, joining Mexico's Pachuca on 14 June 2012.[31] On 11 December, having failed to find the net, he was released,[32] returning to his country and Rayo on the last day of the January transfer window.[33]

Tamudo scored in his second match in his second spell, not being able however to prevent a 3–1 loss at Barcelona on 17 March 2013.[34] In the subsequent off-season, he signed for one year with second-division side Sabadell.[35]

At the start of the 2014–15 campaign, Tamudo scored four times in the first six league games, helping his team to the tenth place in the table. However, during training in October, he suffered an internal meniscus injury to his right knee, going on to be sidelined for several months and being deemed surplus to requirements when he returned to full fitness;[36][37] Sabadell returned to Segunda División B, and he announced his retirement on 5 September 2015 aged 37.[38]

In December 2022, it was announced that Tamudo, along with other renowned retired footballers, would participate in the Kings League, a seven-a-side football league organised by different internet personalities such as Ibai Llanos or TheGrefg, as well as former players like Iker Casillas and Gerard Piqué. In January 2023, he made his debut in Llanos' team Porcinos alongside Mexican Javier Hernández.[39]

International career

A full international since 16 August 2000 (Germany-Spain, 4–1 loss),[40] Tamudo returned to the lineups after a two-year absence to score a vital goal in a 3–1 away win over Denmark for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers on 13 October 2007; incidentally, Espanyol teammate Albert Riera also found the net.[41][42] He earned 13 caps in seven years.[43]

Previously, Tamudo was part of Spain's silver medal-winning team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, scoring in the semi-finals against the United States.[44][45]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[46][47]
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Espanyol 1996–97 La Liga 102———102
1997–98 La Liga 4010——50
1998–99 La Liga 198306[a]2—2810
1999–00 La Liga 341061——4011
2000–01 La Liga 3011513[b]12[c]04013
2001–02 La Liga 351710——3617
2002–03 La Liga 291010——3010
2003–04 La Liga 321900——3219
2004–05 La Liga 301110——3211
2005–06 La Liga 2910314[b]2—3613
2006–07 La Liga 3115007[b]21[c]03917
2007–08 La Liga 251041——2911
2008–09 La Liga 26600——266
2009–10 La Liga 6010——70
Total 34012926420730389140
Alavés 1997–98 Segunda División 6040——100
Lleida 1998–99 Segunda División 14541——186
Real Sociedad 2010–11 La Liga 31700——317
Rayo Vallecano 2011–12 La Liga 32911——3310
Pachuca 2012–13 Liga MX 9020——110
Rayo Vallecano 2012–13 La Liga 4100——41
Sabadell 2013–14 Segunda División 26400——264
2014–15 Segunda División 6400——64
Career total 46815937620730528172
  1. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  2. 1 2 3 Appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. 1 2 Appearances in Supercopa de España

International

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tamudo goal.[48]
List of international goals scored by Raúl Tamudo
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
121 August 2002Ferenc Puskás Stadium, Budapest, Hungary Hungary1–01–1Friendly
218 August 2004Gran Canaria Stadium, Las Palmas, Spain Venezuela2–13–2Friendly
33–1
43 September 2005Campos de Sport de El Sardinero, Santander, Spain Canada1–02–1Friendly
513 October 2007NRGi Park, Aarhus, Denmark Denmark1–03–1UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

Honours

Espanyol

Spain U23

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Raúl Tamudo at WorldFootball.net
  2. ↑ "El mito" [The myth] (in Spanish). Hall of Fame Perico. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  3. ↑ Molero, Iván (22 March 2020). "Los 23 años del 23: Tamudo" [The 23 years of the 23: Tamudo]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Gázquez, Marc (24 October 2025). "De la Copa del Rey al 'Tamudazo': una leyenda inigualable" [From the King's Cup to the 'Tamudazo': a legend like no other]. Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Irigoyen, Juan Ignacio (4 October 2016). "Raúl Tamudo, el hijo de la Paqui" [Raúl Tamudo, son of Paqui]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  6. ↑ McCormack, Kristofer (22 July 2020). "Raúl Tamudo: the heroic Espanyol legend behind Spanish football's most iconic goal". These Football Times. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  7. ↑ Font, Sergi (8 August 2017). "Manel Casanova, el hombre que compró a Tamudo por seis balones" [Manel Casanova, the man who bought Tamudo for six footballs]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "Se cumplen 10 años del adiós de Tamudo del Espanyol" [10th anniversary of Tamudo's farewell to Espanyol]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 8 May 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Elliott (24 October 2021). "Raúl Tamudo: The greatest striker in the history of RCD Espanyol (1996–2010)". Ultra UTD. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  10. 1 2 Roman, Noelia (19 January 2003). "Toni se reencuentra con Tamudo" [Toni meets Tamudo again]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  11. 1 2 Astruells, Andrés (13 April 2006). "¡Increíble Espanyol!" [Incredible Espanyol!]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "Keeper in, Tamudo out at Ibrox". BBC Sport. 21 October 2000. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
  13. ↑ Álvarez, Robert; Rodrigálvarez, Eduardo (27 October 2000). "El Espanyol resuelve en Montjuïc, y el Alavés en Noruega" [Espanyol get job done at Montjuïc, and Alavés in Norway]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  14. ↑ Martín, Luis (10 June 2007). "Tamudo: "No le he dado la Liga a nadie"" [Tamudo: "I have given no League to anyone"]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Guasch, Tomás (10 June 2007). "Tamudo: ¡el polvo del siglo!" [Tamudo: the shag of the century!]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  16. 1 2 Henderson, Charlie (16 May 2007). "Espanyol 2–2 Sevilla". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Tamudo goal banishes Glasgow memory". UEFA. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  18. ↑ "Tamudo blow for high-flying Espanyol". UEFA. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  19. ↑ "Tamudo blow leaves Espanyol reeling". UEFA. 4 December 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  20. ↑ "Espanyol 3–0 Málaga". ESPN Soccernet. 31 May 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  21. ↑ "Tamudo deja de ser el capitán del Espanyol" [Tamudo is no longer Espanyol's captain]. Marca (in Spanish). 18 July 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "Tamudo: "Estoy muy, muy, muy indignado con el club. No merezco el trato recibido"" [Tamudo: "I am most, most, most outraged with the club. I don't deserve this treatment"]. Marca (in Spanish). 15 October 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
  23. ↑ "Pochettino quiere dar minutos a Osvaldo ante Osasuna" [Pochettino wants to give minutes to Osvaldo against Osasuna]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 15 January 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  24. ↑ Martínez, Abraham; Iglesias, Quique (11 March 2010). "Pochettino se llevará a Tamudo a Tenerife" [Pochettino will take Tamudo to Tenerife]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  25. ↑ "La Real Sociedad ficha a Tamudo y lo presenta este domingo" [Real Sociedad sign Tamudo and present him this Sunday] (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Ronaldo saves Real". ESPN Soccernet. 18 September 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  27. ↑ "Maiden win for Osasuna". ESPN Soccernet. 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  28. ↑ "Vallecano take Tamudo". Sky Sports. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Uche shoots down Rayo". ESPN Soccernet. 11 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  30. ↑ "Rayo survive at the death". ESPN Soccernet. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  31. ↑ Monforte, Felipe (14 June 2012). "Hugo Sánchez ficha a Raúl Tamudo" [Hugo Sánchez signs Raúl Tamudo]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  32. ↑ "El Pachuca de México prescinde del delantero Raúl Tamudo" [Pachuca of Mexico release forward Raúl Tamudo]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 11 December 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  33. ↑ "Raul Tamudo re-joins Rayo Vallecano". Football España. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  34. ↑ "Vallecano can't handle Barca". ESPN FC. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  35. ↑ "Tamudo ficha por el Sabadell" [Tamudo signs for Sabadell]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 2 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  36. ↑ "Raúl Tamudo se someterá a una artroscopia" [Raúl Tamudo to undergo arthroscopy] (in Spanish). CE Sabadell. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  37. ↑ "Tamudo, desaparecido del Sabadell" [Tamudo, missing at Sabadell] (in Spanish). 100X100 Fan. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  38. ↑ "Tamudo anuncia su retirada" [Tamudo announces retirement]. ABC (in Spanish). 5 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  39. ↑ "Así fue el debut de Raúl Tamudo y Chicharito Hernández en la Kings League InfoJobs" [This is how Raúl Tamudo and Chicharito Hernández's debut in the Kings League InfoJobs went down]. Marca (in Spanish). 2 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  40. ↑ Gascón, Javier (17 August 2000). "Desastre" [Disaster]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  41. ↑ "España sale del túnel tras su triunfo en Dinamarca (1–3)" [Spain exit tunnel after win in Denmark (1–3)]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 13 October 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  42. ↑ Turner, Lucy (15 October 2007). "Espanyol fly flag for Spain". UEFA. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  43. ↑ "Tamudo ficha por la Real Sociedad" [Tamudo signs for Real Sociedad]. ABC (in Spanish). 31 July 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Sidney 2000: Oro negro" [Sidney 2000: Black gold] (in Spanish). Recuerdos de Nigeria. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  45. 1 2 "FOTO INTERACTIVA: La medalla de plata más épica, en Sídney" [INTERACTIVE PHOTO: The most epic silver medal, in Sydney] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  46. ↑ Raúl Tamudo at BDFutbol
  47. ↑ Raúl Tamudo at Soccerway
  48. ↑ Raúl Tamudo at EU-Football.info (archived)
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