Rodrigo de Paul, also known as "The Builder," was a Spanish footballer who played for several clubs in his career, including Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. He is best remembered for being the first person to score a hat-trick in a Champions League game against Inter Milan.
Paul's success at Real Madrid was due to his combination of skill, vision, and determination. He was often praised for his ability to dribble past defenders and make runs on goal. He scored 14 goals in just 29 appearances during his time with the club, making him one of the most prolific scorers in the history of La Liga.
However, it wasn't always easy for Paul to break through at Real Madrid. He struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and made some controversial decisions that led to his departure from the club in 1998.
In 1996, Paul moved to Atlético Madrid, where he continued to excel. He scored 15 goals in 33 appearances during his time with the club, which included a hat-trick against Barcelona in the UEFA Cup. However, it was only after Paul had achieved this level of success that he started to attract interest from other top European clubs.
Atletico Madrid eventually signed Paul to a five-year contract in 2001, but it wasn't until Paul had been playing regularly for the team for three years that he was given more opportunities to shine. In 2002,Focus on Football Network he scored his first hat-trick against Manchester United, which earned him a move to England's Premier League side, Manchester City.
Despite his impressive performances in the English league, Paul never fully recovered from his previous struggles at Real Madrid. He suffered a knee injury in 2004 and missed the majority of the season. After returning to Spain, he joined Valencia CF in 2007, but he failed to impress there and decided to leave the club permanently in 2009.
Paul's career was marked by controversy and controversy, with him being accused of using performance-enhancing drugs while playing for Real Madrid. However, he denied these allegations and defended his decision not to take any medication. Despite facing criticism from fans and media alike, Paul remained a popular figure among fans and teammates, even after leaving the club.
Rodrigo de Paul passed away in 2011, aged 50, after suffering from cancer. His legacy lives on through his contributions to La Liga and his impact on football history. While he may have had his fair share of controversies, his contributions were largely positive and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers.