Raul

“When I was a player I always said I would only play for Madrid.”

“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.”

“My departure from Madrid was my own choice. I had one year left on my contract, but I decided to go for a new professional experience, so I joined Schalke. I have no problem with the club and our rapport is good.”

“I know a lot of marathon runners who are at their best when they are close to 40. You say to yourself, 'It's 42 kilometres and they are 37 or 38 years old,' but the body can. What you have to make sure you don't lose is your head. That is the most important thing.”

“There are not many Cristiano Ronaldos in the world and Real Madrid has made a great financial effort, but Real Madrid wants the best team in the world.”

“Schalke, for me, is a great adventure, and I wanted to experience new sensations away from Real Madrid.”

“It's important to get match rhythm.”

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

“From the time when I started out, the best players around then were Roberto Baggio and Ryan Giggs.”

“I respect the decisions other players make but my life has always been about playing and all the rest of it did not really interest me.”

“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.”

“I spent 17 years at Real Madrid and nobody can doubt that I'm a 'madridista.'”

“If you are lucky enough to avoid serious injuries then the body goes on; it's the mind that gives in. And it's the mind that you need to enable you to suffer pre-season every year.”

“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.”

“I'm not going to lie: not playing football will be very difficult for me.”

“I think that the message Zidane has to offer will get through to the players, because he was a world-class player.”

“My decision to pursue my career at Schalke 04 is in no way a mistake.”

“I was at Madrid for 17 years and, save for Vicente del Bosque and Jose Mourinho, I never saw any coaches stay for many years.”

“I love to play, but to coach is very different.”

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