Raúl Tamudo

Club career Espanyol Born in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Catalonia, Tamudo was a product of Espanyol's youth ranks who bought him from local Gramenet for six footballs, and he served two Segunda División six-month loans before finally settling in 1999–2000. From there on, he became an undisputed starter for the team, never scoring in single digits during nine La Liga seasons 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; 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.

Tamudo was close to signing with Rangers in 2000, 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).

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, 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. 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; four months after that match, he struck three minutes from time for a 3–2 away victory over the same opponents.

Some injury problems 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.

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, and confronted the board of directors over contractual issues; his status was further diminished in the January transfer window with the signing of another Argentine, Dani Osvaldo, and he eventually finished the campaign with only six league games and no goals.

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. 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) and Osasuna (3–1).

Rayo Vallecano

On 26 August 2011, Tamudo moved to Rayo Vallecano on a one-year deal, 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.

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.

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

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. In the subsequent off-season, he signed for one year with second-division side Sabadell.

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; Sabadell returned to Segunda División B, and he announced his retirement on 5 September 2015 aged 37.

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.

International career A full international since 16 August 2000 (Germany-Spain, 4–1 loss), 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. He earned 13 caps in seven years.

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.

Career statistics Club

International Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tamudo goal.

Honours Espanyol Copa del Rey: 1999–2000, 2005–06 UEFA Cup runner-up: 2006–07

Spain U23 Summer Olympic silver medal: 2000