Quotes from Raul

I was close to joining Seattle Sounders when I left Schalke in 2012, but we decided to go to Qatar first.

Joining Madrid is the best thing that could happen to anyone.

I think it's important to work with children and teach them the right way to train and play at a young age.

The key is to be the best-prepared possible and that is my commitment to the club.

Punctuality and showing respect in the workplace are the foundations of success. Success is meaningless without them. I'm always looking to pass these lessons on to younger players, because they are the secret of excelling and developing your game.

I hope things go well with Zidane, the same as I would have said about Benitez. Because what we all want is for Real Madrid to win trophies.

I believe that soccer in the United States lacks an idol and they should do everything possible to create one.

Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for this team previously. They helped establish soccer in America and I'm honored to follow in their footsteps.

I was lucky enough to play with Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Cristiano... but Messi is different; he makes everything look so easy, so effortless - even the impossible.

Messi has a unique talent, he plays alongside quality players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Cristiano is also a great player.

Having Leo Messi and Barcelona is good for La Liga - it's a real delight.

I think Cristiano and Lionel Messi are two of the best players in the history of the game. Are they better than Pele or Diego Maradona? They are at the top, but I think it is difficult in football to say who is first or second or third.

Playing on turf sometimes, not grass, makes it a little bit more difficult.

The intensity and speed of the ball on turf are very different.

Harry Kane is a typical striker. He scores in every single game. I think he has great qualities. I like him a lot.

The affection shown to me by the Schalke fans is extraordinary and unforgettable.

I believe it's important to have a sporting director - someone to facilitate the communication between the club and the squad, and work on its planning. But not just at Madrid, at all teams.

Look, every club needs stability.

I got used to playing at half-empty stadiums at Al Sadd. There was no one in the stands in Qatar.

Contrary to what many say, Real are a unit. Individual brilliance is always a last resort.

What Cristiano has been doing is huge, but Madrid have a great team with players who can still offer more. The important things is that they keep working as a unit.

When I go five games without a goal, there's always a debate. Everything else that I do on the pitch is never valued.

We should be proud of what Cristiano has been doing. He scores 50 goals per season. I struggled to hit 20.

I'm happy with, and proud of, everything I've achieved - of each game and each goal that helped the teams I played for.