Spanish Soccer Icon Raul to Retire at End of NY Cosmos’ Season

“When I signed for the New York Cosmos in December (2014), 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 posted on the Web site of the Cosmos, which plays in the North American Soccer League, North America’s second division.

“The decision to retire is not an easy one but I believe it is the right time ... I am fully focused on finishing the season strong and helping the New York Cosmos win the NASL Championship,” the 38-year-old player said.

“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.”

“In the coming months I will decide the next step in my career,” Raul said.

The player is already weighing several offers, EFE learned, including one from Spain’s Liga de Futbol Profesional sports association, which administers the country’s first-division soccer league, La Liga, and is looking to expand its visibility in the United States.

The LFP not only plans to leverage the former Spanish national team and Real Madrid star’s iconic status to market the brand but also is offering him an executive role, according to the information.

After learning of Raul’s decision, Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said the Spaniard was “one of the world’s most iconic players. I knew when we signed him what he would bring on pitch, but his knowledge, passion, professionalism and commitment has exceeded my expectations.”

“In less than a year, Raul has become a big part of the team and he will always remain part of the Cosmos family,” he added.

The Spaniard debuted with Real Madrid in 1994 at age 17 and played for the storied club for 16 years, helping lead the Blancos to six La Liga, four Supercopa and three Champions League titles, among many other championships.

Raul is Real Madrid’s most capped player with 741 appearances, while Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo recently tied the Spaniard’s club record for goals with 323.

In 2010, he signed with German club Schalke 04, helping it win a German cup title and reach the semifinals of the Champions League the following year.

Raul later played for Qatari club Al Saad and contributed to the Aspire Academy, a state-of-the-art, Doha-based sports training facility, before signing with the Cosmos.