Cosmos of New York forward Raul Gonzalez has disclosed his desire to retire from football at the end of the North American Soccer League season which ends in November.
The 38-year-old Real Madrid legend joined Cosmos in December 2014, and has gone on to score 7 goals in 26 games for the club.
“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,” Raul said in a statement.
“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,” he declared.
Cosmos FC are currently 3rd on the NASL Fall table with 30 points from 18 games, eight points behind leaders, Ottawa Fury and five points behind second-placed Minnesota United.
Raul started his professional career in Real Madrid in 1994 and was with the club for 16 years, winning six La Liga titles, four Spanish Super Cups, and three UEFA Champions League titles. He left the team in 2010 as the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, a record that has now being broken by World’s best player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
He has equally played for German side, Schalke 04 and Al-Sadd club in Qatar.