Raúl Bravo had a successful and varied career as a professional footballer, with a stint at Leeds United helping him on his way at Real Madrid.
He was in Los Blancos’ youth system, and played for their C and B teams before making his way to the first XI with the Spanish giants. As part of that journey and gaining prominence for Real Madrid, he decided to go out on loan in January 2003.
Roberto Carlos was the rather big hurdle in the way of him getting minutes in the Madrid team, and therefore a stint at Leeds United was seen as a way to help Bravo build for Euro 2004.
Unfortunately, the Spaniard didn’t play much at Elland Road, although he insists the loan worked out well for him.
In a lengthy interview with AS, the now 43-year-old was asked about his spell at Leeds United, and explained: “The coach looked after me and gave me confidence, but competing with Roberto Carlos was impossible because he was the best in the world in his position. I had the offer from Leeds and the club understood it. I was already starting to play with the national team and I needed to play more to be able to go to the Eurocup in Portugal in 2004.
“In the summer of 2003 I returned to Madrid and with Queiroz I played as a starter almost from the first day. Everyone knows how difficult it is to play for Real Madrid, but that season I played about 50 games in all competitions.”
He managed get to Euro 2004, and that was pretty much his experience with the Spanish national team over.
No less than nine other clubs followed after his Real Madrid exit, with a big chunk of the latter stage of his career spent in Greece.
Since retiring as a professional footballer, Bravo has taken up another passion.. interior design.
He’s thrilled with his new career and told AS: “When I hung up my boots I said to myself: “What do I do now?” When you stop playing football, the first year is very complicated. You don’t even know where you are. A very bad feeling. It happens to all players. I liked decorating houses, thinking about them and designing them. But when a client came they asked me where I had studied and what training I had. I told them: “Nowhere.” It was complicated.
“With the money I had saved I bought several houses and decorated them my way, with my ideas and my inspiration. I renovated them and then made my catalogue and uploaded it to my Instagram. It must be that people liked it because I started selling them. I have cool work. It’s my calling card as a decorator and interior designer. And the houses work, my friend. There is light, hot water… (he smiles).”
The Spanish newspaper put it to Bravo that he’s looking good, healthy and happy, to which he replied: “I am privileged. I am very happy with what I do. I get up at five-thirty in the morning. At six-thirty I am in the gym until seven-thirty. I go home and take the children to school. And at nine-fifteen I am already with my routine with my collaborators in case we have an issue with rubble or partitions in some new project. Or some kitchen that has been newly built. It is not a job for me. I enjoy it and I have a great time. On top of that, in Gandía I have peace and quiet, a spectacular beach that I can walk from end to end in eight minutes, then I can have a beer with friends. What more could I ask for?”
