Raul Gonzalez to retire at end of NASL season

Former Real Madrid forward and joint record scorer Raul, who currently plays for the New York Cosmos, announced on Thursday (October 15) that he would retire from the sport at the end of the North American Soccer League (NASL) season in November.

Spaniard Raul, 38, who won a host of trophies with Real during a stellar career, including three Champions League crowns and six La Liga titles, made his debut in April for the New York franchise, who compete in the NASL -- a tier below Major League Soccer.

"I hope to help the team to win and it was a difficult decision but I think now, I feel it is the right moment now," Raul said in an interview issued by the Cosmos.

"I think now I need to have more time with my family, with my kids, more time on the weekends at home to enjoy with my family."

New York won the NASL`s spring season title and have lost only one home game in the past 18 months to sit third in the NASL standings with a place in the four-team Championship now assured.

Raul, who shares Real`s scoring record with Cristiano Ronaldo, having found the net 323 times in 741 games, also serves as a technical adviser for the Cosmos youth academy and is expected to take over on a fulltime basis after he retires.

"I love everyday to come to training, to play games, I`m very happy in New York with the New York Cosmos and I hope to help my team in the last game to win the championship," said Raul, who made his Spain debut in 1996 and during a 10-year international career scored 44 goals in 102 appearances.