Real Madrid legend Raul bids emotional farewell to Blancos

Raul Gonzalez bid farewell to Real Madrid on Monday in an event held at the Presidential Balcony of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and attended by club President, Florentino Perez, Director General, Jorge Valdano, head coach, Jose Mourinho and several members of the Board.

Raul made his way onto the stage of the Predential Balcony accompanied by Florentino Perez and Jorge Valdano, who also witnessed the warm welcome provided by hundreds of fans who made their way into the stadium for the event. With the cheer "Raul, Raul, Raul!" in the background, the forward walked down the stairs until reaching the stage, where all the titles he won as a Madridista awaited.

After a commemorative video introduction, Florentino Perez took the floor to discuss Raul's career. "There are very few who are chosen to be the symbol of what Madridismo is and should be, and Raul is without a doubt one of them."

"One of my dreams as the president of Real Madrid is that the players who form part of this club fit in with the spirit left by Raul," said Perez, "Thank you for all these years. This event is not a goodbye, but a see you later because this will always be your shirt and your crest and this stadium will always be your home. We will not forget you because we do not want to forget you, among other reasons."

Following the words by the president, Raul described his farewell as "a difficult day in my career as a footballer. I tried to give my very best in every play, every dribble, every shot and every gesture on the pitch." Raul then went on to thank Jorge Valdano, who gave him his first opportunity to play in Primera Divsion, and for Alfredo di Stefano, who he wished a speedy recover to.

Raul enjoyed a very successful 15 years with Real Madrid. Raul scored 323 goals in 740 appearances for Real Madrid.

Raul has yet to reveal where he will be playing next term, but the attacker is widely expected to join Bundesliga side Schalke. Reports from Germany suggest that he's set to sign a two-year deal with the Royal Blues and that Raul will be presented to the press on Thursday.
 

Raul honours with Real Madrid:

La Liga (6): 1994-95, 1996-97, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007–08
Supercopa de España (4): 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008
UEFA Champions League (3): 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2002
Intercontinental Cup (2): 1998, 2002
All time top scorer with 322 official goals.
All time highest with 729 official matches.