Raul Announces Retirement from Football: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Real Madrid legend and current New York Cosmos forward Raul has officially announced his plans to retire from football at the end of the NASL season in November.

The 38-year-old confirmed the news on Thursday, via the club's official website:

"

When I signed for the New York Cosmos in December, I said I would evaluate how I felt towards the end of the year and assess whether I would continue to play.

My decision is to retire from playing at the end of this season. I am fully focused on finishing the season strong and helping the New York Cosmos win the NASL Championship. In the coming months I will decide the next step in my career.

Playing soccer 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.

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.

"

One World Sports shared video of the veteran striker explaining why he's retiring:

Raul was one of the most feared strikers in the world during his time with Real Madrid, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer in a period stretching over 15 years. Cristiano Ronaldo recently tied his incredible haul of 323 goals, per AS English.

FourFourTweet shared his full statistics for club and country:

With Los Blancos, Raul won three UEFA Champions League titles and six La Liga crowns. He was voted best Spanish player in La Liga a record five times and added two top-scorer's titles, via the Cosmos' official website.

In his prime, Raul was the face of a Real Madrid squad that dominated Europe, forming incredible attacking partnerships with Fernando Morientes and Brazilian Ronaldo.

He remained with Los Blancos until 2010, when he completed a shock move to Schalke 04. Raul had two more strong seasons in the Bundesliga before moving to Al Sadd and ending up in New York.

Armando Franca/Associated Press

International silverware always eluded him, as he never managed to win a major trophy with Spain.

Raul's announcement not only comes with weeks left in the NASL season, but also as his scoring record with Real is set to be broken by Ronaldo.

As reported by SNTV, even he felt honoured to equal the Spaniard:

While there will undoubtedly be a big ceremony for Raul back in Madrid, fans in New York will get to watch the legendary forward ply his trade for a couple more weeks before they have to say goodbye.

It would be some performance if he could wave farewell to the game with an NASL Championship under his belt, but given the incredible amount of trophies he gathered during his career, it would only be fitting. 

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