Draxler: "I learned from Raul every day"
Posted Wednesday, April 06, 2016 by Marca.com
When Julian Draxler made his Schalke debut at just 17 years-old, his introduction coincided with ex-Real Madrid star Raul's first season in Germany.
Also the fourth youngest player to make their Bundesliga debut, the midfielder described the impact of playing alongside the Spanish striking legend.
"For me it was an honour to be at [Raul's] side, he's the best footballer that I've ever played with.
"He is a friend and has given me a lot of advice, not only in football but also in life.
"He is 38 and has experienced many things, so I learned from him everyday.
"We continue to speak occasionally and I'm sure he will be watching [Wolfsburg vs. Real]."
The German was a notable absentee when Real faced Schalke last year in the Champions League and is now ready to prove his talent once again on the biggest of stages.
In the tie against Ghent in February 2016 it was clear that the student had learnt from the master.
Draxler picked the ball up in midfield, drove at the heart of the visitor's defence and delicately chipped in to score one of the best goals of the Champions League so far.
"[The chipped finish] is one of the best tips Raul gave me," Draxler noted.
"One day after training I asked him what he thought was the best technique in one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
"He told me that if the goalkeeper is very close to me that the decision was simple, and the chip was the best decision if I wanted to score."
When Raul made his Real debut, Draxler was only one year old but the latter has early memories of the Spanish icon.
"We all remember watching the Galacticos, it was amazing to see how they played and how easy winning was.
"Raul, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos - that team was incredible, the team who won the [ninth] European Cup."
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