Muniain still in awe of Raul

Athletic Bilbao’s Iker Muniain has revealed his admiration for Schalke striker Raul ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash between the two sides.

Muniain, 19, was on target as the Basque outfit recorded a 4-2 win in their quarter-final first-leg clash with their German rivals in Gelsenkirchen last week.

Raul netted both of Schalke’s goals and Muniain admitted he remains in awe of a player he grew up watching on television.

“It’s just crazy with Raul,” he said. “He is a player who has played so many matches with Real Madrid, who has won so many trophies with them, and who’s scored so many goals, and yet he still has this hunger and desire to improve. It’s just incredible.

“You admire all the great players who have achieved great things, and Raul is a role model to all footballers. He is just one of the best out there.”

Raul racked up 323 goals in 741 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid before leaving the Santiago Bernabeu for Schalke in 2010.