Real Madrid great Raúl ready to sign off
Friday, October 16, 2015
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"I believe it is the right time," said former Real Madrid and Schalke striker Raúl González as he confirmed his decision to retire in November; UEFA.com celebrates his career.
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"Playing football has been part of my life for so long and the decision to retire is not an easy one, but I believe it is the right time," said former Real Madrid and Schalke striker Raúl González, confirming that he will hang up his boots in November.
The 38-year-old, who made his debut for Madrid in October 1994 aged just 17, won three UEFA Champions League titles with the Merengues and was the competition's all-time leading goalscorer with 71 strikes until that total was surpassed by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo last season.
During 16 trophy-laden seasons with Real Madrid, Raúl was able to see off competition for his place in the side from a number of 'Gálactico' arrivals, taking over the club captaincy in 2003 following the departure of Fernando Hierro.
The forward is the club's record goalscorer with 323 in all competitions (a number Ronaldo has equalled this season) and all-time leading appearance holder with 741 – a figure that looks unlikely to be surpassed any time soon.
Despite not being part of the Spain national side that won back-to-back UEFA EURO titles in 2008 and 2012, in addition to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Raúl represented his country on 102 occasions. He played at three World Cups and two EUROs, scoring 44 international – a record that David Villa would go on to surpass in 2011.
After leaving the Spanish capital a hero in 2010, he joined Schalke, becoming a cult hero in Germany for his work-rate and eye for goal. Such was his impact in Gelsenkirchen during just two seasons that the club temporarily retired the No7 jersey as he left for Al Sadd in Qatar before joining New York Cosmos last December.
"I am fully focused on finishing the season strong and helping the New York Cosmos win the NASL Championship," Raúl said. "In the coming months I will decide the next step in my career.
"I'm thankful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career and I look forward to playing my final games with the New York Cosmos over the coming weeks."
Raúl's career in numbers
741: appearances for Real Madrid
323: goals for Real Madrid
102: caps for Spain
71: UEFA Champions League goals
44: international goals
6: Liga titles (1995, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008)
3: UEFA Champions League (1998, 200, 2002)
1: UEFA Super Cup (2002)
1: German Cup (2011)
