Raul: "That special feeling of a Madrid derby never goes away"

Whether you have played in one or many, as in my case, you always remember a Madrid derby. They are such special games for so many reasons: that cross-city rivalry, what it means to fans, the importance of winning or losing and having everyone talk about it for days afterwards. That is the beautiful yet harsh reality of football.

You knew that it was a different game from the moment you walked out onto the pitch to warm up. You looked up to the stands and could feel the passion emanating from fans. They cheered and shouted because they understood the importance of the result at the end of those 90 minutes. There was a very special atmosphere at both the Santiago Bernabeu and the Vicente Calderon. They are two massive teams and, as a player, you always enjoyed being there, more so if you got a good result, of course. However, you never forget that feeling of being part of something special.

You never forget what it feels like to score a goal in a derby game either. In my case, I was lucky enough to get my first senior Real Madrid goal in one such game. It was unforgettable and I have very fond memories of it. We all knew that those games were more than just a win and three points in the league.

There have been times, that I've experienced personally, when the results have been very one-sided. However, over the years, the games have become more evenly-matched and even more exciting than during my playing days. I was lucky enough to play a part in many Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid games and now I'm still lucky enough to watch them from afar. Here in the USA, people are becoming more and more interested in the Madrid derby. It's an iconic game that showcases Spanish football on the international stage. Without a doubt, it represents the standard of LaLiga football.