Raúl García

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

García's journey to Athletic Bilbao began after a successful stint at Atlético Madrid, where he won six major titles including the 2013–14 La Liga. On 31 August 2015, he signed a four-year contract with Athletic, immediately scoring in his debut against Getafe. His tenure was marked by consistency; after scoring ten league goals in each of his first two seasons, he extended his deal until June 2020. In July 2019, the 33-year-old agreed to a one-year extension without a release clause, defying expectations as he delivered a career-best 15 goals that season. This included a historic feat: becoming the first player in La Liga history to find the net in every month of a calendar year. His leadership was solidified when he reached 600 appearances on 12 February 2024, cementing his place as one of only eleven players in history to reach 500 league games.

In Their Own Story

The final of the Copa del Rey against Mallorca on 6 April 2024 became the culmination of García's long journey. The match ended level, forcing a penalty shoot-out. As the first Athletic player to step up, García calmly scored his spot-kick, securing a 4–2 victory for his side. A commentator noted at the moment that "his pulse stayed steady" as he delivered under immense pressure. Just one week after this triumph, on 13 April 2024, García announced his retirement from professional football effective at the end of the season. Athletic Bilbao honored him in a statement, describing him as an "unforgettable lion." He left the game having made 609 La Liga appearances in total, the third-best tally in history behind only Joaquín and Andoni Zubizarreta.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note García's unique statistical milestones during his time at Athletic. He reached his 100th appearance for the club in October 2017. His career was defined by specific turning points, such as scoring a crucial 88th-minute equalizer against Real Madrid on 19 August 2014 while still at Atlético, and later helping Bilbao win the 2023–24 Copa del Rey. While his international career with Spain was brief (two caps starting in September 2014), his club longevity is immense. He played 20 seasons in La Liga total, amassing 609 games and 110 goals. His playing style relied heavily on heading from corners; he scored five league goals in his first full season at Osasuna, including one against Athletic Bilbao, and later netted twice against Mallorca via headers from Álvaro Cejudo's corners during a loan spell back at his boyhood club.

Did You Know?

• García became the first player in La Liga history to score a goal in every month of a single calendar year.
• He scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out that secured Athletic Bilbao's 2023–24 Copa del Rey title against Mallorca.
• On 9 April 2014, he became Atlético Madrid's most-capped player in the UEFA Champions League with 22 appearances, surpassing Luis Aragonés.
• García played twice for the Spain national team, making his debut on 4 September 2014 against France in a friendly loss.
• He represented Navarre and the Basque Country in representative games during 2004 and 2005 before his international career with Spain.