Departing Schalke 04 forward Raúl signed off in front of the home fans with a goal in Saturday's 4-0 win over Hertha Berlin, and he had nothing but praise for the club.
The Spaniard scored his 21st goal of the campaign in an emphatic win against Hertha that secured Champions League football for the Royal Blues next season.
However, the match marked Raúl's last appearance in the Veltins Arena as a Schalke player, and the 34-year-old said he will never forget his two-year experience in Gelsenkirchen.
"It's been a very special and emotional day, but the most important thing is that Schalke got third place and will be in the Champions League next season," Raúl said after the match.
"I scored in my last match and watching the love of the fans during these two years has been very special. I have no words to describe it.
"It is clear that Schalke is a special club and it is because of their fans. From the first day I arrived I was shown much love and respect.
"Whenever we played at the Veltins Arena, the fans were always behind the team and every game we played away from home we had 3,000-4,000 fans travelling with us.
"It's unique and wonderful. They are with their team to death, on victories and defeats. I'll be grateful forever."
Related links:
Team
Personal
 |
|
| Departing Spain striker Raúl waves goodbye to the Schalke fans with his family Photo: Getty Images |
The Spaniard scored his 21st goal of the campaign in an emphatic win against Hertha that secured Champions League football for the Royal Blues next season.
However, the match marked Raúl's last appearance in the Veltins Arena as a Schalke player, and the 34-year-old said he will never forget his two-year experience in Gelsenkirchen.
"It's been a very special and emotional day, but the most important thing is that Schalke got third place and will be in the Champions League next season," Raúl said after the match.
"I scored in my last match and watching the love of the fans during these two years has been very special. I have no words to describe it.
"It is clear that Schalke is a special club and it is because of their fans. From the first day I arrived I was shown much love and respect.
"Whenever we played at the Veltins Arena, the fans were always behind the team and every game we played away from home we had 3,000-4,000 fans travelling with us.
"It's unique and wonderful. They are with their team to death, on victories and defeats. I'll be grateful forever."
Related links:
Team
Personal
