Raul to leave Schalke at end of season

Former Spanish international striker Raúl González Blanco, better known as Raul, is set to leave Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 after two seasons in the German top tier. Raul did not disclose where he will be playing next season though saying that he has two offers from outside of Europe which he is considering at the moment.

"My playing future is not in Europe," Raul said at a press conference in Gelsenkirchen today. Raul went on to say that he's reached an age (turns 35 in June) in which playing in Europe's top leagues is demanding on the body and he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Raul did say that the league he picks will not be as strong as European leagues. It is being speculated that he will join Al Ahli Doha of Qatar, who are said to have made him an offer of 9 Million Euros.

The royal blues as Schalke 04 are known did make Raul an offer to extend his contract, but the Spaniard decided to end his stint in Gelsenkirchen after two successful seasons in which he scored 27 goals in 63 Bundesliga matches, won the German Cup last season and also reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Currently Schalke are in third position and set to qualify for the UEFA Champions League again.

"They were two wonderful years that I will always bear in my heart. I was able to do what I like doing the best: playing, playing, playing," an emotional Raul said. "I also have to give the fans a special thanks for their affection and respect!"

Schalke Director of Sports and Managing Director Horst Heldt said Raul would get a farewell match in 2013, likely against a Spanish club which in an ideal case would be Real Madrid, and that Schalke would retire his No. 7 jersey for the time being.

The former Real Madrid club captain has been playing for the royals since joining them from city rivals Atletico Madrid in 1992. And he is the club's all-time highest goalscorer with 323 goals in 741 matches. He also happens to be the highest goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League with 71 goals. Also Raul has played 102 times for Spain scoring 44 goals, which was a record before David Villa went past the mark.