Figo: Raul was cast aside

Luis Figo says that Raul Gonzalez wanted to retire at Real Madrid, before the club ‘cast him aside’.

The No 7 left the club in 2010 after spending his entire career at Los Blancos and is currently plying his trade in the Qatari League after two years at Schalke.

“Raul was cast aside by Madrid. He wanted to retire with the club, but it was not to be. I hope that he is happy in Qatar,” mused the Portuguese in an interview with Al-Jazeera Sport.

Ahead of the Clasico this weekend, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid man discussed a number of topics, starting with who he believes should win the Ballon d’Or award.

“I think that Ronaldo will win it this year because he has won the League. It is very difficult to know who is better [between him and Lionel Messi].”

There were rumours that Figo would be returning to Real this season in the capacity of sporting director to replace Zinedine Zidane.

“That I would be working with Mourinho at Madrid was just a rumour. It is news that came out in the Press at that time.”

The retired winger also described the current eight-point gap between his former teams as ‘not decisive on the title race’.

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