‘Raul and Senna are winners’

New York Cosmos Coach Giovanni Savarese hailed the influence of retiring former Spain internationals Raul and Marcos Senna prior to their last game.

The pair will hang up their boots following Sunday’s game against Ottawa Fury and Savarese has spoken of the mentality they brought to the NASL club.

“The club, the country and everyone who has followed Raul and Senna understand the importance [of their final game],” Savarese said, AS reports.

“They’re winners. It was fantastic to have Raul in our ranks as an ambassador. He was an example on and off the pitch.

“He’s well-known [in the United States]. Very few players are as respected as Raul. And we feel the same way about Senna.

“There is great admiration for both because they are very good professionals. The Cosmos have grown and they’re part of that.

“More than telling my grandchildren I coached Raul, I’ll say I coached one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. And it’s the same with Senna.

“Raul will do what he wants [in retirement]. He’ll be what he wants. In football he’ll do what means most. Whatever path he chooses will be ready for personal success.

“I’ve no doubt he’ll continued to be linked to the sport. Although he can go another way. I’m clear that football will always be linked to him. The feeling of the fans towards him is a result of his strong bond with football.

“The team has grown in the standard of play [because of Senna and Raul]. Raul is a very demanding player. Every game is a final for him. He has a great innate competence and as an individual has contributed a lot to achieve important things.”

Tags Giovanni Savarese Marcos Senna New York Cosmos Raul
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