
Former Spanish international Raúl Bravo has successfully found a passion outside football after his retirement. The ex-Real Madrid star was an instant success at Leeds United even after spending only six months in England.
A product of the Real Madrid academy, Bravo couldn’t find a break into Los Blancos’ first team. At 22, he was sent on loan to Leeds United where he spent just half a year that changed his life.
Playing only six games for The Whites, the Spaniard returned to Bernabéu with some crucial experience. He later broke into the club’s starting XI becoming a regular in both the La Liga and UEFA Champions League.
This earned Bravo a starting spot in Spain’s 2004 Euro campaign. He made 14 appearances for La Roja in total as he couldn’t sustain similar form after the campaign.
After he passed his peak, the Spanish international had multiple stints with clubs in Greece, Belgium and Spain. The defender last played for local side Beniopa before hanging his boots in 2022.
His transition post-football has gone well as the left-back has found a new passion outside the game. In an interview with Diario AS, Bravo revealed the challenges he faced post-retirement.
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Former Leeds United defender Raúl Bravo talks about the challenges post-football

Raúl Bravo’s return from Leeds United was the turning point of his football career
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.
–Raúl Bravo via Diario AS
Bravo started interior designing after retirement. However, this new chapter of his life was full of challenges but the Spaniard kept going because he loved what he was doing.
He told AS how the first year after retirement footballers don’t even know where they stand. The Spaniard also mentioned that he liked designing houses which is what piqued his interest in designing.
As Bravo didn’t attend any design school, it was difficult to get clients. Tired of getting no opportunities in the field, the ex-Real Madrid star bought houses from his savings and decorated them.
He posted the photos on Instagram which has driven sales. People like what he does and now he gets new clients regularly. Currently living in his hometown, Bravo revealed that he is more than happy with his retirement life.
In Gandia 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?
–Raúl Bravo via Diario AS
