Raul set to join Qatari side Al-Sadd

Former Spanish international striker Raúl González Blanco, better known as Raul, has signed a one year contract with Qatari side Al-Sadd SC, the champions of the 2011 AFC Champions League in Asia. Raul has left Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 after two seasons in the German top tier.

The Qatar Football Association said on Sunday that the Doha-based club had signed the 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain captain on a one-year deal, but further details were released.

Schalke 04 had made an offer to Raul to extend his contract, but the striker had decided to leave Europe and play in a developing league with Qatar always seen as his preference also due to the salary which he would receive in the Middle East.

Raul was a fan favourite at Schalke, scoring 27 goals in 63 Bundesliga matches. When Raul announced he would leave German Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 it was an emotional affair after two years at the Ruhr valley club ( Raul to leave Schalke at end of season ).

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.

Is Spain's Del Bosque considering a Raúl comeback?

The severe injury to FC Barcelona striker David Villa has upset the plans of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for the upcoming 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine next summer. And if Villa doesn't make it in time, then del Bosque will have to find a suitable alternative, then Spain will go into the tournament with the aim to defend their title won four years back in Austria and Switzerland.

A few days ago I had written about the speculation if Villa will make it in time in: Will David Villa be fit again for Euro2012?

A difficult question to answer then one never knows how an injury will heal. The name which seems to ignite old love and passion in Spain is that of 34 year old striker Raúl González Blanco, currently playing the German Bundesliga for FC Schalke 04.

The former Real Madrid star is a legend in his home country. He has played 102 international matches scoring 44 goals for Spain between 1996 and 2006. Many see him still as a top striker which he is proving at Schalke with 10 goals so far this season and especially the three goals against Werder Bremen on the last match day before the mid-season break has caught the attention of the Spanish.

It will be interesting to see if Raul can make an international comeback for Spain.

Raul joins FC Schalke 04

Raul has signed a two year deal with German Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04 and for the club in Königsblau (royal blue) it is one of the biggest signings ever. Spanish legend Raúl González Blanco leaves Real Madrid after 18 long years and has surprisingly joined the Ruhr valley club, who unveiled their new signing today infront of over 150 journalists, photographers and a dozen TV crews.

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 66 goals. Also Raul has played 102 times for Spain scoring 44 goals, which until recently was a record before David Villa went past the mark.

Schalke coach Felix Magath told the club website: "It's great news for FC Schalke 04, I am pleased that we have succeeded in such an exceptional footballer and world-class striker switching to the Bundesliga for Schalke 04. He will be an inspiration. His qualities will help us."
Magath added, "His commitment is a crucial step in our efforts to strengthen the squad for future tasks, and to restructure. I look forward to working with this good professional."

To many Raul signing a contract for Schalke might come as a surprise, but the deal has been in the pipelines for some time though other clubs, especially from the English Premier League, still hoped to sign the Spaniard at the last moment. The deal has been made possible by Raul's former and new team mate Christoph Metzelder. Metzelder left Real Madrid in the summer for Schalke after a last season where he was not really part of the team, but Raul was one of the players with whom he got along well. Raul also told Metzelder that he was looking to leave the club if he wouldn't get more playing time. And Metzelder let his new coach Felix Magath know that Raul was available once at the club and over the last few weeks Schalke have been pursuing to bring Raul to the club. Now they have their catch prize as Raul will have to replace Kevin Kuranyi who left for Moscow, but was good for 12 to 15 goals a season.