By Tom Degun at the Aspire Dome in Doha
November 15 – Former Spain and Real Madrid striker Raúl believes that Qatar could be a threat at the 2022 FIFA World Cup when the sovereign Arab state plays host to the prestigious competition.
The 35-year-old from Madrid had a glittering 16-year career at Real Madrid and is the club’s all-time top goal scorer with 323 goals in 741 appearances, as well as scoring a record 44 goals in 102 appearances for the Spanish national side.
But Raúl (pictured top), who now plays for the Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd, believes that Qatar is a country that is improving at football at a phenomenal rate due to the huge investment in sport in the country.
“I think that 10 years from now, things will get much better in terms of Qatari coaching and football ideology,” Raúl said here at the at the Aspire4Sport Conference.
“What Qatar are doing will be really special and I am actually learning from them.”
Raúl’s former Spain and Real Madrid teammate Fernando Hierro (pictured below), who was also speaking at the Aspire4Sport Conference, added that regardless of how well Qatar do at the 2022 World Cup, it could be the greatest edition of the tournament in history.
“I think it will be the best World Cup in terms of organisation, facilities and infrastructure,” said Hierro, who won five La Liga and three UEFA Champions League trophies while at Real Madrid.
“Look at the progress they have made already.
“It will be a special World Cup.
“I have no doubt about that and I am very optimistic.”
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