Raúl's career has several phases, to start with I would say he appeared as an icon. At the right time, Madrid were on decline, had lost two consecutive leagues in Tenerife and what was left of the " fifth of the vulture" was on a significant decline.
That season was a kind of revolution. Valdano, who was super popular, the representative of the beautiful game, who came with Redondo, as well as Quique Sánchez Flores and Laudrup, so making a prodigy debut at 17 when nobody expected it was a great culmination.
It could be seen that he fit the idea of a Spanish captain, with character,power and that would be many years at the club,as Camacho and Hierro.
He accumulated a lot of power, surely more than Ramos currently, even in the Spanish team.
In the Spanish team, where he had become the "7 of Spain", became his decline. That penalty failed against France in the Euro 2000 when Mendieta had to shoot ... and his confrontation with Aragonés first and the subsequent success, which greatly diminished his figure.
Well, sorry for the novel, but so boring at home this thread was perfect to expand on.
Speaking of level, I think Del Piero had more technique, I can't imagine Raúl scoring Rooney's scissor goal (against City). They seem to be very different players, although they coincide in the fact of starting early and being burned with 28/29.
He was a very smart striker, mobile and always looking to lose the mark.
I think the first goal in the ninth, taking advantage of the throw-in, could be an example of what he was.
My favorite goals, the day he celebrated at the Camp Nou, the goal against Valencia on the 8th and in the Intercontinental, a goal named "aguanís"