Raúl to Retire. And Then Play in MLS?

That’s not a trick headline. Real Madrid living legend Raúl González has announced that he’ll probably retire at the end of the 2010/2011 season (which means he’ll finish this season then play two more).

He’s already the Real’s all-time top scorer, and will definitely be adding a few more goals to that tally before he’s done.

After that, he plans to give MLS a go. But not for the football, apparently.

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

Now, I’ve got a lot of respect for Raúl. The man’s medal haul would put Sarah Jessica Parker’s shoe collection to shame, and in my opinion he played a key part in Spain’s Euro 2008 success by greeting his exclusion with incredible grace and humility.

But that right there is a massive lack of respect for MLS. I understand that the “retire” thing isn’t to be taken literally, and that for a Real Madrid career man, leaving the club probably does equal retirement. And can Raúl really be blamed for treating MLS so casually?

Seems that the way MLS bent over backwards for – and then got shafted by – David Beckham (apologies for that rather graphic imagery) has sent a message to all aging superstars. And that message is: Come and play here, we’ll give you loads of money, but you don’t have to take it seriously.

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Category: MLS