European football legend Raul has announced that he will retire from playing next month.

The 38-year-old is best remembered from his time at Real Madrid, where he went on to become the club's all-time leading scorer during a 16-year senior career at the Bernabeu.

Upon leaving the Spanish capital in 2014, Raul opted to remain in Europe with Schalke 04 - scoring 40 goals in 98 matches - before departing for Al-Sadd two years later.

Raul has now decided to see out his career with New York Cosmos, with the conclusion of this season's North American Soccer League in November bringing down the curtain on his illustrious career.

"When I signed for the New York Cosmos in December, I said I would evaluate how I felt towards the end of the year and assess whether I would continue to play," he told the American outfit's official website.

"My decision is to retire from playing at the end of this season. I am fully focused on finishing the season strong and helping the New York Cosmos win the NASL Championship. In the coming months I will decide the next step in my career.

"Playing soccer has been part of my life for so long and the decision to retire is not an easy one but I believe it is the right time. I'm thankful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career and I look forward to playing my final games with the New York Cosmos over the coming weeks."

Raul led boyhood club Madrid to six La Liga titles, four Spanish Super Cups and three Champions League titles.