Raul To Make MLS Switch This Summer?

Real Madrid legend Raul could be on his way to MLS this summer, according to a Mundo Deportivo report that suggests the Spanish club is eager to off-load the 32-year-old’s €7 million salary (roughly $10 million US) with a year remaining on his contract. Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer has spoken of a move to America’s top-flight league before, but many assumed he was talking about 2011, when his contract at Real is set to end.

“At this time, I have marked 2011 as the date [I will retire]," he told the Associated Press in February of this year. Six months before that date – in December or January – will be the time to look at the situation and to see what is beneficial for the club and for me.

“As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I could try to play a year probably in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience. If not, it’s clear that I will finish my career here (at Real).”

Also the all-time scoring record for Real Madrid, Raul has tallied 226 goals in 532 appearances and has won six Spanish league titles in his time with the club (1994-present). This season has been the first where he is being employed primarily as a substitute, scoring three goals in 12 appearances and two more in six Champions League matches. He scored 18 goals in each of his last two full seasons, starting all but five games in that span.

Raul’s international pedigree is hard to beat; he has played in the last three World Cups, scoring at least one goal in each tournament. He also represented his country at the 1996 Summer Olympics, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 and was captain of the Spanish side from 2002-2006. He hasn’t officially announced his retirement from international football, but has been largely overlooked since 2006, left out of the squad for both Euro 2008 and last year’s Confederations Cup.

What do you think? Would you want to see Raul come over following the 2010 World Cup? What team do you think he would best fit in with?