Raul wants happy homecoming

Spanish superstar Raul returns home on Tuesday when his Schalke side visit Valencia in a Champions League round of 16 first-leg match.

The 33-year-old has scored 10 goals for Schalke this season to help them into 10th place in the Bundesliga after ending a 16-year love affair with Real Madrid last July, and said he was looking forward to heading home.

“This game is special for me, because it is the first time that I have returned to Spain in eight months since I moved to Germany,” he said.

“I am delighted with the reception, and the fans have shown me a lot of love. I thank them for that.”

“A Champions League knockout game is always special, and this one is against a great team in Valencia and with a fantastic atmosphere. I am really up for this game, and I hope that we get a good result and are able to seal the tie in two weeks time.”

“I’m here to play a great game, and to play in a great stadium. I will try to do the best I can for Schalke and enjoy the game.”

“I hope that everything goes well, and that we are able to score a lot of goals. I think that the tie is very even.”

“I am confident that we can hurt them, and the objective is to win and score goals to set up the second leg.”