A bit earlier in the week, Real Madrid and Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez Blanco has announced his retirement from football after the NASL season ends in November.

Raul: "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."

After one of Atletico Madrid's youth teams shut down, the young Raul chose to join Real Madrid's youth team instead. He soon made his name with the first team, going on to form remarkable partnerships with players such as Fernando Morientes and Ronaldo Nazario. Raul ended his 16 year career with the following honors for Real Madrid in 2009...

6 La Liga titles
3 Champions Leagues
4 Supercopas
2 Intercontinental Cups
1 UEFA Super Cup
2 Pichichi Trophies (league's highest scorer)
2 Champions League Top Scorers
3 UEFA Forward of the Years
1 Ballon d'Or Silver award
0 Red cards
Real Madrid's highest appearance maker (741)
Real Madrid's highest goal-scorer (323)
UEFA Champions League highest goal-scorer (66)

Unfortunately, Raul never got the chance to taste international success with Spain, as he retired internationally before the 2008 Euro Championships. He did, however, retire as Spain's highest goal-scorer at that time (a record now held by David Villa).

During the 3-0 win against Levante on Saturday, the Real Madrid faithful raised a banner to honor the legendary striker and his time at the club. No matter how many goals Ronaldo scores, Raul's 323 will never be forgotten.

"Your home, your fans, thank you Raul"

I'm an avid MLS fan, but I wasn't aware Raul was playing in the NASL. Huh.

The Taylor swift question at End, Legend !

People judging him for his last years at Madrid, but they didnt remind when he was 17-25 years old, his peak was at 20 yo like any gifted player. He would have bagged 100 more if he was taking PK and FK, probably 100 more if he was the main threat, he never was THE 9 of the team.

His stats as huge as they are, doesnt reflect how good he was...

@Tiki

That's precisely the problem, mate! Not many neutral fans seem to realize that Raul was forced to share the limelight with so many legends and stars (Morientes, van Nistelrooy, Anelka, Ronaldo, Higuain, Benzema). If Raul was the main striker for Real Madrid he would've easily bagged 450+ goals, perhaps even 500. Raul's status as an all-time legend is often forgotten due to the tremendous number of stars that played alongside him. But no one should forget that out of all those stars, it was Raul that shone brightest.

Legend. I think that's enough said.

Its not just about scoring goals, its about the moment you score them, and what you get scoring them. Raul Palmares speaks from himself plus he is the son of Madrid, graduate doctor excerced in Madrid... One of the few Madridismo legends i cant hate even if i suffered of his presence years ago. At the end, the only feeling that stays on me for him is respect.

LEGEND 4 EVER