Emotional Raul 'forever' thankful for Schalke experience

Departing Schalke forward Raul says he will never forget his experience in Gelsenkirchen after helping his side to a 4-0 victory over Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The Spaniard scored his 21st goal of the campaign in an emphatic win against Otto Rehhagel's men that has not only tied up third place in the league table, but more importantly Champions League football for the Royal Blues next season.

However, the match marked Raul's last appearance in the Veltins Arena as a Schalke player, following on from his previous announcement that he would leave the club at the end of 2011-12, and the 34-year-old struggled to put the joy of his two-year German adventure into words.

"It's been a very special and emotional day, but the most important thing is that Schalke got third place and will be in the Champions League next season," Raul said after the match.

"I scored in my last match and watching the love of the fans during these two years has been very special. I have no words to describe it.

"It is clear that Schalke is a special club and it is because of their fans. From the first day I arrived I was shown much love and respect.

"Whenever we played at the Veltins Arena, the fans were always behind the team and every game we played away from home we had 3,000-4,000 fans travelling with us.

"It's unique and wonderful. They are with their team to death, on victories and defeats. I'll be grateful forever."

Raul then refused to disclose where he will be playing his football next season, but did reveal his two most proud memories during his time with Schalke.

"I still cannot tell you [the reporters] where I am going, but soon you will know. In two weeks, I can say what will be my destiny," he continued.

"It has been two wonderful years, but if I could keep a moment intact, it would be when we won the DFB-Pokal, because I couldn't do it with Real Madrid [in the Copa del Rey].

"I also wanted my children to live this experience with their father. They have enjoyed it a lot and had a good time. They have seen all the love this fans have for their father."