"There are many men who form part of the legend of Real Madrid, but few that are chosen to embody the club – Raúl is one of those."
A Real Madrid stalwart, Raúl served Los Blancos for 18 years in total. An icon of the Bernabéu, he scored 323 goals in 741 games for Real and won 16 trophies during his career at Madrid.
Despite becoming a bit-part player, Raúl did not complain but instead got on with it and did his best. Even when played out of position, you could depend on Raúl to give 100%. It's the kind of person he is - a model professional.
Never one to complain, Raúl's attitude is the antithesis to that of many a modern day footballer.
During the original Galacticos era in Madrid, Raúl was there as a foundation upon which Madrid built their empire and he was still there in phase two when he refused to hand over his famous number 7 shirt to Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is a shame for both Raúl and Real that his illustrious career looks set to end outside of Madrid. It seemed to many like Raúl would become a rarity of the modern game in playing for only one club throughout his career but it was not to be as he looks set to join a club in Germany, probably Schalke, or in England where Tottenham, Newcastle and Blackburn are reportedly battling over his signature.
An integral part of one of Madrid's most successful sides in the club's history, Raúl is both Real Madrid's top marksman but also the player with the most appearances in the famous all white strip.
Although replaced in the first team, nobody will ever dethrone Raúl as King Of The Bernabéu.
"Being a Real Madrid player is the greatest dream you can imagine. Today, more than ever, I want everybody to know that in every move, dribble, turn or gesture on the field of play, I tried to give the best I could."
Raúl Gonzaléz Blanco