"Real Madrid confirms no contract renewal with Raul!""Raul is set to leave Real Madrid!""Raul's 18-year career at Real Madrid is coming to an end!"
After their victory over Málaga, Real Madrid officially confirmed Raul's departure. This issue had been stirring mid-season and was finally settled.
Raul's exit saddened many Madrid fans. They didn't understand—why couldn't Raul retire at Real Madrid like Maldini did at AC Milan?
No clear answer was given.Media speculated: perhaps it was to make room for younger Spanish players, or to prioritize Suker's tactical role.
There were even rumors of discord between Raul and Suker, but these remained unproven—just gossip.
Real Madrid would never air such matters publicly.Neither Raul nor Suker spoke on the matter.
This official announcement finally confirmed Raul's exit. He would leave at the end of the season as a free agent.
In a suburban villa in Madrid, under the morning sun and chirping birds, Raul stepped outside with a cup of coffee. Sitting in his garden, he basked in the sunshine and cool breeze, feeling at peace.
As a professional athlete, one often battles with oneself.Veterans near the end of their careers still believe they haven't aged and cling to the idea of peak performance.They still want the same respect and treatment.
But to others, they've lost their value.No matter how legendary, time is the greatest enemy.
Football is a young man's sport.As physical ability declines, so does form.
Raul accepted this reality—he had to.Watching from the bench as Suker turned games around with his insane physicality and brilliance made Raul realize something.Even in his prime, he might not have done what Suker did—especially that stunning solo goal against Inter Milan.
That game hit Raul the hardest.He finally admitted to himself that he had grown old.
That single thought made everything lighter.He no longer felt the need to fight himself.
"What a beautiful day," Raul said as he looked at the blue sky, smiling.
A rare sunny day in Madrid!A waste not to enjoy a bullfight show!
Without hesitation, he changed clothes and headed out.
Outside the Madrid bullring, a pudgy man waved to Raul."Hey, Raul! Over here!"
Raul walked over, laughing as he patted the man's belly."You should really lose some weight. You look almost 40."
The man was his old friend and former teammate, Blanco, from Real Madrid C Team (1992–1994).While Raul got promoted to the first team in '94, Blanco's career ended in the C team.
"Why should I lose weight? Life's good," Blanco grinned."The bulls today? I provided them. Wanna see?"
"Let's go!"
Blanco now worked as a bull supplier.Both had dreamed of being footballers and bullfighters as teens.Raul often said if he hadn't chosen football, he might have become a matador.Blanco tried that too—until a bull gored his leg.
It was a quiet Wednesday at the bullring, but tense.The matador dodged the bull with flair and eventually drove a short silver sword into its neck.The bull collapsed.
Thunderous cheers erupted.
Raul and Blanco cheered like children."Samuel is the best matador!" Raul exclaimed, thrilled.
Afterward, they grabbed coffee at a nearby café.Raul excitedly relived every bullfighting moment.
Then Blanco asked:"So… when are you leaving?"
Raul's smile froze."Can't we talk about happy things instead?"
"Is Madrid really letting you go?" Blanco frowned.18 years at the club... and this is how it ends?
"That's Real Madrid," Raul said bitterly."When you can no longer contribute, it's time to go."
Blanco sighed."Do you know where you're going yet?"
"Still deciding. Many clubs are interested."
"Only because you're free. If you lower your wage demands, even more clubs will want you."
Raul chuckled.He wasn't going to accept a pay cut.Leaving Madrid was painful enough—he deserved proper compensation.
Blanco brought up the previous match against Málaga."Want my honest opinion?"
"Go ahead."
"Suker's a monster. Even with packed defenses, they can't stop him. That solo run against Inter? Ridiculous.""If you're leaving because you lost out to him, I get it. No shame in that."
Raul nodded."I respect Suker. Even I would choose him now.""My only regret is not retiring here. I knew Madrid's tradition… but I still hoped.""I failed."
Blanco patted his friend's shoulder."Take care, man."
When Raul decided to leave, his mind wandered not to the Bernabéu—but to a small training field in Madrid.
This was once Real Madrid C Team's ground—now part of the youth academy.A white sign still stood:
"From here to the Bernabéu."
It didn't point to an actual road—but to a dream.Even if you couldn't see the stadium from here, every youth could imagine it.To walk onto that pitch to the roar of tens of thousands… that was the dream.
Raul had made it.He was one of the lucky ones.
He touched the sign—it was spotless, well-kept.Young trainees nearby watched him with awe.To them, Raul was a living legend.
But Raul could no longer concern himself with the future.He turned and walked away.
Back home, Raul returned to his quiet routine.His days in Madrid were numbered—but they were precious.At 33, he would leave his hometown for an uncertain journey.
A few days later, it was confirmed:Raul's farewell match would be held in Round 37 of La Liga—at home.The club had suggested Round 38, but Raul requested the earlier date—and the club respected his wish.
June 9: La Liga Round 37 — Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao.Raul and Suker started together.Guti and van der Vaart were on the bench, also set to make appearances.
But this night was all about Raul.
The Bernabéu was packed with 90,000 fans chanting Raul's name.This would be his final time wearing the armband and #7 shirt at home.The air was thick with emotion.
At the center circle, Suker waited with the ball.Raul leaned over:"I'll support you like Benzema does."
Suker froze.Raul smiled:"Don't feel pressure just because it's my farewell. If there's a chance, take it. Score freely."
"I was going to invite the team for a farewell dinner. You'll come, right?"
Suker hesitated.They'd had tension. Was this an invitation or a polite obligation?
Raul reassured him:"Our conflict was just competition. I'm leaving now. Aren't you coming to say goodbye?"
"Season's not over. We can't drink yet."
Raul laughed."Don't worry—it's on the 16th. You'll have time to recover before the Copa del Rey final."
"Why say it now then?"
"I was afraid you'd skip it."
"Do I look that petty?"
"Beckham said you might be."
"That bastard!"
Laughter—tension lifted.
Whistle blows. Kickoff.
Bilbao had struggled that season and were already safe from relegation.Madrid played with ease.
21st min: Raul's cross, Suker leaps and scores with a header. 1–0.
38th min: Suker rainbow-flicks the ball past a defender. Raul latches on, scores. 2–0.
Second half: Alonso corner, Suker heads it down. Raul volleys in. 3–0.
Then the substitution comes.The fourth official holds up the board: Raul off, Guti on.
The Bernabéu erupts.
90,000 fans chant Raul's name, making his signature "ring kiss" gesture.Some fans cry.
Raul, after 18 years, was walking off for the last time.
Suker watched his back—expression complex.He had seen many retirements—but those players had ended their careers where they started.
Raul wasn't so lucky.
"No one retires at Real Madrid."Such a cruel truth.
Click! Click! Click!Flashbulbs burst across the stadium like stars.
To Raul, they seemed to say:"Remember this light. It's the way home."
Raul disappeared down the tunnel.Suko glimpsed his shoulders trembling.
Even iron-hearted captains break down.
"Raul — Real Madrid's eternal captain!""A legend. A gentleman. A true leader!"
Even commentator Gonzalez's voice cracked.He had seen many farewells—but none this heartbreaking.
"Goodbye, Raul!""Goodbye, Captain!""Goodbye, our eternal Prince of Madrid!"
Raul was gone.
Guti and van der Vaart followed.They weren't as revered—but still applauded.
Their departure marked the true end of an era.Real Madrid was saying goodbye to its old guard in the most painful way.
But after pain comes rebirth.
With Raul, Guti, and van der Vaart gone,Galácticos 1.0 officially faded into history——and Galácticos 2.0, built around Suko, was ready to soar.
A new era had begun.