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Raul: I Could Retire In 2011...Or Play For MLS
Real Madrid’s legendary striker has declared that he could play for just two more years before calling time on his illustrious career.
Feb 25, 2009 10:19:06 AM
Raul has admitted that he could play just another two years for Real Madrid and then retire.
Talking to The Associated Press, the striker declared that he always wants to keep on playing but he does have a date in his mind for hanging his boots up.
"It is a difficult situation because you always want to go out when you are at the top,” he acknowledged. “But when you are doing so well you have to ask, 'Why am I going now?’
"At this time I have marked 2011 as the date [I will retire]."
Raul has recently surpassed Alfredo di Stefano as los Blancos’ all-time top goal-scorer and is also the record scorer for the Spanish national team.
He faces-off against Liverpool in the Champions League this evening and claimed that, when the time comes, he is ready to asses his future.
"Six months before that date [June 2011] - in December or January - will be the time to look at the situation and to see what is beneficial for the club and for me," he mused.
He indicated that he would like to take a year to travel, but he also hinted that he could go the way of David Beckham and join the MLS.
"As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I could try to play a year probably in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience. If not, it's clear that I will finish my career here (at Real).
Whatever he does, his future looks to be connected to Real Madrid.
"90 per cent of my future will be within football and with Real Madrid," he concluded.
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Talking to The Associated Press, the striker declared that he always wants to keep on playing but he does have a date in his mind for hanging his boots up.
"It is a difficult situation because you always want to go out when you are at the top,” he acknowledged. “But when you are doing so well you have to ask, 'Why am I going now?’
"At this time I have marked 2011 as the date [I will retire]."
Raul has recently surpassed Alfredo di Stefano as los Blancos’ all-time top goal-scorer and is also the record scorer for the Spanish national team.
He faces-off against Liverpool in the Champions League this evening and claimed that, when the time comes, he is ready to asses his future.
"Six months before that date [June 2011] - in December or January - will be the time to look at the situation and to see what is beneficial for the club and for me," he mused.
He indicated that he would like to take a year to travel, but he also hinted that he could go the way of David Beckham and join the MLS.
"As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I could try to play a year probably in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience. If not, it's clear that I will finish my career here (at Real).
Whatever he does, his future looks to be connected to Real Madrid.
"90 per cent of my future will be within football and with Real Madrid," he concluded.
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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