Real Madrid icon Raul has confirmed his departure from the capital club as he looks close to joining Schalke. The 33-year-old put an end to a glittering 16-year spell at the Bernabeu, denoted by his record as the club's all-time leading goalscorer. "It's a hard day for me," Raul said at a press conference on Monday. "Football has been my life and Real Madrid my home and together we have lived unique moments. "I feel like a footballer still and I will keep on playing, but I will always be loyal to Real Madrid. I have tried to give everything in my time here." Meanwhile, Bundesliga side Schalke seem to be frontrunners to clinch the services of the Spanish veteran, who is also his nation's top goalscorer of all time.