Raúl’s Bundesliga bind

Raúl has Germany on tenterhooks. Just three weeks ago he placed his hand on his heart after completing a hat-trick against Werder Bremen. He later explained to ZDF television: “I wanted to thank the people for the affection they’ve shown me. I’m very happy playing here and I’d like to stay.” That day, the Spanish striker was exultant. He even answered a question in awful German and once again climbed into the stands to sing a song with the Schalke supporters: “I don’t know how to translate it, but I know more or less how to sing it.”

Now things have changed. Rumors abound in the German media that Raúl is headed for the Bundesliga exit door. “Raúl is extraordinary, but I doubt that Schalke will make a huge financial sacrifice for a 35-year-old,” notes Christof Kneer, editor of Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Steffen Simon, of Sportschau, penned a recent article under the headline: “Gracias, señor Raúl González Blanco.” In it, he stated that the number 7 “arrived as a legend and he’ll leave as a hero. We should all be grateful to have witnessed a player like him.”

Part of the problem with Raúl’s continuance is that he would like to sign a two-year extension but Schalke is only offering one. Then there is the matter of money: Real Madrid has been paying two million euros toward the almost seven million Raúl earns a year, but this subsidy ends in May. If he wants to stay, it appears obvious that Raúl will have to take a significant pay cut. That will alert the lavish spenders of the Russian, UAE and USA leagues.

Some media outlets have pointed to Raúl’s lack of return in the second half of the season. As if in response, he scored a wonderful goal against Kaiserslautern in a 4-1 win last weekend. Schalke coach Huub Stevens has backed Raúl, but with the caveat that, “He is 34 and in his case the question is whether he can keep up the level of his play.”

In almost two seasons in Germany, Raúl has scored 34 goals in 87 games. His number 7 shirt is the biggest seller in the club’s stores. His chipped goal against Köln was voted the best of the season in 2011. Perhaps going a little over the top, Schalke’s female fans also voted him the Bundesliga’s most attractive player.

Raúl enjoys life in Düsseldorf and his family has settled well: “It’s a very nice city, smaller than Madrid. We don’t miss Spain much. We can watch the bullfighting on TV.” He also enjoys his relationship with Schalke’s loyal support. “Celebrating with them in the stands when we beat Inter was very exciting. In Spain that link with the public doesn’t exist. You give a wave and that’s it. He has received the adulation of an entire country for his talent, “humility and professionalism.” But Schalke president Clemens Tönnies is not for moving: “We’ve made him a very good offer. We’re talking to his agent but we have to wait. Now, it depends on him.”

The ball is very much in Raúl’s court.