Soccer
Raul set to go in 2011
2010-03-15 15:57
Spain - Real Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer, Raul Gonzalez, plans to play two more seasons at the Spanish club before retiring, although he may play on in the United States.
"It's a difficult situation because in reality you always want to go when you're at the top. But when you're playing well then you start asking yourself 'do I really want to go?"' the 31-year-old Raul was quoted as saying in Wednesday's edition of sports daily Marca.
"In this moment, I've marked the date as 2011."
Raul only recently surpassed the legendary Alfredo di Stefano as Madrid's record goalscorer with 311. He has scored 13 league goals this season and is also Spain's all-time leading goalscorer with 44.
Raul, who has only ever played for Madrid, goes into Wednesday's Champions League match against Liverpool looking to build on his record 66 goals in European competition - 64 of those in the Champions League.
"Six months before that date, in December or January, will be the moment to look at the actual reality and see if it benefits the club and me," Raul said.
He said he'd like to take a year off to travel but could also be tempted by the prospect of playing in Major League Soccer for a season, like former teammate David Beckham.
But whatever he does, he plans to return and work at Madrid at some level.
"I'm 90 percent sure my future will be tied to football and to Real Madrid," he said.