The 33-year-old was expected to join German side Schalke on a two-year deal but Raul denied a deal had been done.

“I have had very deep discussions with Schalke but there are other teams that are also interested. My future lies in Germany or England,” he said.

Raul scored 323 goals in 741 games for Real, and 44 goals in 102 Spain games.

That scoring record helped him become a legend at the Bernabeu club, which he joined in 1992 – making his first-team debut against Real Zaragoza in October 1994 at the age of 17.

If he opts against a move to the Bundesliga with Schalke, Tottenham and Newcastle have been mooted as possible options for the veteran forward, while Liverpool and Manchester United have also been mentioned as potential destinations for the Madrid idol.

“In a few days I will know whether I’ll be going to the Bundesliga [or to England],” he told a press conference, also attended by president Florentino Perez and director general Jorge Valdano.

Raul helped Real seal three Champions League triumphs and six Spanish league titles in his time at Real and he revealed: “This is a very tough and difficult day.

“Football has been my life and Real Madrid my home. 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.

“A new period starts today. I have been happy at Real Madrid and I will always be willing to help the club in whatever it needs.”

Real president Florentino Perez also paid tribute to the departing idol and stated: “We will never forget Raul.

“There are many men who form part of the legend of Real Madrid but few that are chosen to embody the club – Raul is one of those.”

Midfielder Guti, 33, who spent a total of 25 years with Real having come through their youth system, announced he was joining Turkish club Beskitas on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, previously with Gava in Segunda B, grabbed the opener as Accies won Saturday’s friendly 2-0.

Accies manager Billy Reid will not make a decision on any of the trialists until four more matches this week.

But he told BBC Scotland: “Albert has not done any training at all, came in on Friday and looked fine.”

Reid last summer plucked Marco and Flavio Paixao after leaving Cultural Leonesa and Benidorm respectively.

The Portuguese twins have since become cult heroes at New Douglas Park and Reid has been encouraged to again scour the lower divisions in Spain for talent.

“There is a lot of talent out there,” said Reid, whose side comfortably steered clear of relegation in the Scottish Premier League last season.

He completely changed his team at half-time in the victory over First Division champions Stirling.

“To make a judgement after 45 minutes of a game would not be fair, so we will see how they do our next four games,” added the manager.

Hamilton take on Queen’s Park on Monday, Queen of the South on Tuesday, juniors Dundee North End on Wednesday then have a closed-doors game against Wigan Athletic on Friday.

An estimated one million people lined a five-mile route in the Spanish capital as the team paraded in an open-top bus.

Captain Iker Casillas had earlier carried the trophy down the steps of the plane as the squad made a triumphant return from South Africa.

The players then went on to meet Spain’s royal family and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

And the celebrations concluded with the bus parade that snaked through the heart of Madrid, as firefighters hosed down fans sweltering in 40C temperatures and Spanish air force fighter jets flew overhead trailing the colours of the national flag.

The parade came to a halt at the esplanade near the Puente del Rey, where the festivities continued.

European champions Spain won the World Cup for the first time thanks to Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands in Johannesburg on Sunday.

During the celebrations on Monday night, some team-mates forced Cesc Fabregas to briefly wear a Barcelona shirt as they stood on stage in front of supporters.

The Barcelona defenders grabbed the Arsenal midfielder, who has been linked with a return to the Nou Camp where he played as a teenager, and managed to pull the shirt over his head.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos and Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina had been at the centre of the players’ celebrations on the team bus as the parade inched its way down Madrid’s Gran Via.

Once the whole 23-man squad plus the coaching and backroom staff made their way onto the stage, various members of the party spoke to the assembled supporters.

Coach Vicente del Bosque said at a brief presentation: “This cup, this triumph is for all of you, and for the whole Spanish football factory.”

Casillas, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, said: “I don’t know what to say, only that I’m delighted to be here with you. We (the players) have achieved the dream that we’ve all had since we were small.”

Coach Del Bosque added: “It’s not only winning but how you win, and that’s what these players have done, they are an example to all.

“Thanks for all the support you’ve sent to us in South Africa, you are also world champions.”

Iniesta held a toy octopus in reference to Paul, the sea creature based in a German aquarium made famous for correctly predicting winning teams during the World Cup, including Spain in the final.

“Thanks to the octopus we are champions,” he joked.

The gifted playmaker added: “I only want to say that you should be proud of this group. They’re the best. I’m very proud to be part of them.”

Many fans made the trip to Madrid’s Barajas Airport to greet the returning heroes.

The flight landed at 1338 local time with Spanish flags flying from the cockpit windows and two fire engines making a guard of honour with their jet streams.

The plane was emblazoned with the words ‘Campeones’ (Champions) and ‘Orgullosos de nuestra seleccion’ (Proud of our squad).

Casillas, who was in floods of tears after the final whistle at the Soccer City Stadium on Sunday night, again appeared to be on the verge of crying as he led his team across the tarmac to a waiting coach.

They were taken to a nearby hotel to eat and rest before heading to the Royal Palace for a reception with the Spanish royal family.

King Juan Carlos was accompanied by his wife, Queen Sofia, his eldest daughter, Princess Elena, and his son Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia.

“Thank you champions, in the name of all of Spain and all Spaniards,” he said after personally greeting each of the players.

“This is a well deserved victory for an exceptional team which thrilled the hearts of all Spaniards. You brought together all Spaniards, made our dreams a reality and projected the name of Spain around the world.”

The squad then moved on to the Moncloa Palace to be greeted by Prime Minister Zapatero, who singled out match-winner Iniesta for special praise.

Immediately after scoring the winning goal, the 26-year-old had taken off his Spain shirt to reveal a white T-shirt bearing the message: “Dani Jarque: always with us”.

Jarque collapsed and died at the age of 26 in August 2009 following a training session with his Espanyol team.

“He represents like no-one else good football and human qualities,” Zapatero said of Iniesta. “I want to make a special mention of somebody who yesterday remembered someone who is no longer with us when he scored the winning goal.

“There is no better role model for our youths, given his talent and personal qualities. Thank you Iniesta for remembering Dani yesterday during an unforgettable day for Spain.”

While the celebrations continued across Spain, the Dutch team were also given special treatment as they returned home on Monday and were escorted through Dutch airspace by two fighter jets, one of them orange.

The squad met Queen Beatrix at her palace in The Hague in the morning, followed by a boat tour through Amsterdam’s canals and a party in the city’s Museum Square.

“It’s a little bit strange to stand here now, we haven’t quite overcome the disappointment yet,” said coach Bert van Marwijk.

Andres Iniesta’s strike gave Spain a 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands in Sunday’s Johannesburg final to add the World Cup to the Euro 2008 triumph.

And Del Bosque said: “I think our effort, our flair is never-ending.

“This World Cup draws from what we did in 2008 and it is the continuity and continuation of a very good legacy.”

Iniesta’s strike deep in the 116th minute settled a nervy, ill-tempered affair – one that failed in many ways to live up to pre-match expectations.

However, that did not temper Spain’s joy in victory and Del Bosque declared: “Everyone in the dressing room is ecstatic.

“Spain, the country, deserves this triumph. This goes beyond sport. We have to celebrate and are delighted to be able to offer this victory to all the people of Spain.”

Much of the focus in the immediate aftermath of the match centred on the physical approach by the Netherlands, with their players being shown nine yellow cards, two of which led to Johnny Heitinga’s extra-time dismissal.

However, while Del Bosque said the result “was a reward for beautiful football” he was keen not to criticise the Dutch for the way they played the game.

“I should congratulate our opponents,” stated the Spanish coach. “They made it very difficult for us to play comfortably and they had some good chances.

“To try and match Holland when they are playing at that pace is very difficult but we did it and, for the most part, I think we dominated the match.

“Yes it was rough at times but that is part of football.”

One key to Spain’s success proved to be the introduction of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who provided the crucial pass to Iniesta for the winning goal to cap a fine cameo late in the game.

“Fabregas came on and we began to dominate,” commented Del Bosque. “We had greater ball possession and depth in our game. We created chances for Cesc and David Villa which we could have converted.”

Spanish captain Iker Casillas conceded it would take some time for his team-mates to realise the magnitude of what they had achieved in South Africa.

“It’s a historic moment for Spanish football,” said the Real Madrid goalkeeper. “This achievement is something that we, the players, are still not aware of, what the significance really is.

“I think it’s something we will only realise over time.”

Casillas, 29, who also picked up the Golden Glove award as the best keeper at the tournament, added: “It’s what we have dreamt of since we were children.

“It is a much happier moment than when we won the European Championships [in 2008]. We are now the world champions.”

Match-winner Iniesta could barely hide his delight following the final whistle.

“I can’t quite believe this yet. I had the opportunity to score that goal that was so important for my team and it’s incredible,” he enthused.

“I’ve made a small contribution in a very tough game, a very rough game – there were all sorts of things happening on the pitch.

“Spain deserved to win this World Cup. It’s something we have to remember and enjoy and should feel very proud of everyone in this squad.

“The manner in which it happened, we gave everything. To win the World Cup – there are no words to describe it.”

After scoring the winning goal, Barcelona midfielder Iniesta took off his shirt to reveal a T-shirt paying tribute to Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol player who died from a heart attack in August, with the message ‘Dani Jarque is always with us’.

And Iniesta explained: “I wanted to carry Dani Jarque with me and with my other team-mates. We wanted to feel his strength. We wanted to pay tribute to him in the world of football and this was the best opportunity to do so.

“This is for Dani Jarque, for my family, for all of the people. It is the result of hard work over a long time and some difficult moments.”

Asked about Spain defending the title in 2014, Iniesta replied: “Now’s the time to enjoy this World Cup. We’ll see what happens four years down the line.”

It reminded me of an incident in Dortmund four years ago after Germany had been knocked out of the tournament at the same stage by Italy. A German journalist walked past my desk within minutes of the final whistle, looked at some statistics of the game on a television screen and told me dispassionately that the best team had won.

I asked Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on Wednesday what he thought of the match. The 24-year-old simply replied: “Spain was the better team today.”

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff was slightly more expansive. “You saw in the match how strong Spain are and how well they keep the ball,” said the former Germany striker. “We did not find our rhythm or the system to break down their very well-organised team and, at the end of the day, I thought it was a deserved victory for Spain.”

Germany should be applauded for their contribution to this competition. They swept aside both England and Argentina in the knock-out stage and introduced three stars to the global stage in Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller, who was unfortunately suspended for Wednesday’s game.

But I felt that the Germans played slightly into Spain’s hands by sitting too deep and hoping to strike on the counter attack. They looked hesitant and uncertain. Bierhoff suggested they lacked experience at crucial moments.

Neuer added: “We wanted to be strong in defence and make fast breaks but Spain were good in defence and did not let us. We maybe showed Spain too much respect.”

Spain were the better team and deserved their victory after producing a more fluid performance than we have seen in most of their previous games in South Africa. They had 13 shots at goal, with five on target. Germany, who lost 1-0 to Spain in the Euro 2008 final, managed only two on target from five attempts.

With Pedro selected ahead of the out-of-form Fernando Torres, there was more energy to Spain’s play and better interchange in midfield. The tiki-taka passing game that Paraguay successfully stifled for so long in the previous round was up and running again.

Even so, Spain’s dominance for long periods did not produce many clear-cut openings and Vicente Del Bosque’s side have now won their last three games 1-0.

I thought Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso shed a lot of light on his team’s performance when he said: “We have seen when Germany have gone ahead in games that they have often scored again on the counter attack and we were really concerned about that.”

It explains why Spain were prepared to remain patient for so long, scoring the decisive goal through Carles Puyol, who found the net with header from a corner on 73 minutes.

It might not have been the sort of goal you would necessarily expect from this Spain team but it was nonetheless well-worked, with both Puyol and fellow defender Gerard Pique making a similar run and creating a two-against-one situation.

“We knew it might be the small details that make the difference,” said goalkeeper Pepe Reina. “So we have been practising these sorts of things for the entire tournament.”

A victory for Germany would have set up a final against the Netherlands that would have been rich in historical significance and rivalry. Germany’s victory over Johann Cruyff’s team in the 1974 final is known as “De moeder aller nederlagen” (the mother of all defeats) in the Netherlands. Subsequent matches have been brutal, spicy affairs that have often degenerated into unseemly contests.

I was at their last encounter at a major tournament, a 1-1 draw in Porto at Euro 2004. The atmosphere was sensational, the sort that can only be produced by the weight of history, and would have helped to create a thrilling final in Johannesburg.

In contrast, Spain against the Netherlands is the final with no history. Spain are at their 13th World Cup, the Netherlands their ninth, but remarkably they have never played each other in a major tournament.

All of the Spanish players I spoke to after Wednesday’s game expressed an admiration for the Dutch and are expecting a very tough match at Soccer City.

“I have seen most of Holland’s games,” added Alonso. “They have a solid team with good quality. They work well and are strong in attack. We are expecting a tough game. Physical, technical, tactical – they are a very complete team.”

I asked Neuer who he thought would win the final. Almost immediately he said: “Spain.” German coach Joachim Loew agreed with his goalkeeper. “Spain are a wonderful team,” he said. “They are the masters of the game. You can see it in every pass. They can hardly be beaten. They are extremely calm and convincing.”

This current Spain team, the Euro 2008 champions, stand on the brink of greatness. But whatever happens, history will be made on Sunday. It will be the first World Cup final that does not involve one of Brazil, Argentina, Italy or (West) Germany.

And it means that the first World Cup in Africa will have a new winner, the eighth and the first since France lifted the trophy in 1998. That, surely, must be a good thing.

Midfielder Fabregas

Barcelona failed to pay their players at the end of June, club president Sandro Rosell has revealed.

Rosell, who succeeded Joan Laporta at the financially troubled Catalan outfit last week, also said a loan of about £125m had been secured to pay wages.

“We found a club in debt, with liquidity problems. At this point we have to take a loan to pay the wages of the players,” he told Sport.

But Rosell said Barca can still afford Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Barca recently sold defender Dmitro Chygrynskiy to Shakhtar Donetsk for about £12.5m to help raise much-needed funds, even though coach Pep Guardiola had been keen to keep him.

They also sold Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure to Manchester City for about £20m.

However, Rosell has moved to reassure worried fans that Barca’s problems are under control and that the process of securing a loan had already started under the previous board.

“The banks know that we have a business plan that will allow them to recover the money. The club is not bankrupt because it generates income,” he added.

“The members shouldn’t be afraid because it is under control. We must resolve this tension.

“It can be done in two ways: to have extra income, like selling Chygrynskiy, and/or taking a loan, which is what we have done.

“The previous board had already begun this process. We followed the same path – the same banks, the same target but with a different business plan. They [Laporta's board] also knew they needed this credit.”

And Rosell even claimed that over 50m euros (about £41m) would still be available to spend on new players.

Despite their financial issues, Barcelona have been pursuing Arsenal star Fabregas for some time and recently signed Spain striker David Villa from Valencia.

Rosell intends to meet Gunners manager Arsene Wenger in South Africa shortly to discuss a deal for Fabregas, who started his career at the Nou Camp.

“It’s now or never. We’ll do it fast. It won’t be protracted,” said Rosell.

“I’ll try to see Wenger in South Africa, then we’ll tell you what happens.

“We would not pay the 50-60m euros that I have read about. If Arsenal do not go crazy, he might play at Barca.

“There will be 50m euros to sign more players. This is the case every year. This is our plan for the future.

“Technically, as of now we have 50m euros plus 15 for Chygrynskiy and 24 for Toure. In total, 89m euros (about £75m).”

David Villa’s strike proved to be the difference in Cape Town.

“Spain had the better chances and I think, sadly, they deserved to win,” said Queiroz.

“Spain were much more effective moving the ball around. We were looking for chances on the counter-attack. We had our chances – we just didn’t score.”

Despite their conservative game plan – Portugal only really came to life in a desperate final five minutes – Queiroz insisted his side had given their all.

“We showed ambition and desire to win but it just wasn’t possible. We’ll have to come back stronger,” he added.

“I believe the fans have justifiable reason to be proud of the way the team has played.

“We wanted to do well and when we compete at this level, if we manage to obtain second or third, it is not satisfactory.

“We always have as our main goal to win. We also want to have an honourable performance to dignify Portuguese football.

“I wanted us to be able to leave the field with our heads held high, and I think we accomplished this.”

Portugal’s star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, had a frustrating night and was frequently marginalised as Spain controlled possession, and he refused to talk to reporters as he left the ground.

Deco is available again for Portugal after a hip injury, so coach Carlos Queiroz must decide whether to restore him to the starting line-up. Hugo Almeida or Liedson will come back into the team as Danny is expected to miss the game with a badly bruised leg.

One booking from suspension: Almeida, Coentrao, Duda, Mendes, Pepe, Ronaldo, Tiago (Portugal)

MATCH PREVIEW
Two years ago to the day of this match, Spain finally broke their major tournament duck and lifted the European Championship trophy. If they are to go one step further and break their World Cup hoodoo they are going to have to significantly up their performances, starting against their Iberian neighbours Portugal.

Fernando Torres scored the goal in the final in Vienna back in 2008, but his performances in South Africa have been synonymous with that of the rest of the Spanish team. He and many of his much-vaunted colleagues have started the tournament sluggishly and look like they are still recovering from the shock of losing to Switzerland in their opening match.

Portugal have played out two grim goalless draws sandwiched either side of a mauling of North Korea. Coach Carlos Queiroz has opted for a different striking formation in all three of their games so far, but while he ponders how to get goals at one end, he is losing no sleep about a defensive unit that has conceded just once in their last 12 matches.

The Portuguese have only beaten Spain five times in 32 encounters, but perversely have lost this fixture just once since 1958. Like many local derbies, a draw has proved to be a very common result, so penalties could be the only way of separating these neighbours at the Cape Town stadium.

MATCH OFFICIALS
Head-to-head
- They have met 32 times in international football. Portugal have won just five matches, Spain 15 and there have been 12 draws.

- But Portugal won their last meeting 1-0, which came at the Euro 2004 group stages and eliminated Sapin from the competition.

- And Spain have only beaten Portugal once in the ten matches since 1958.

Spain
- They must make history if they are to win the World Cup, as no country has lost its first group match and gone on to lift the trophy.

- David Villa has scored six goals in six starts at the World Cup and is now the all-time top scorer for Spain at the tournament.

- Spain became the first team since Hungary in 1986 not to collect a single card in the group stages of a World Cup tournament. In fact, they have not had a player cautioned in their last six matches since Sergio Ramos was booked against France on 3 March.

Portugal
- Portugal have conceded just one goal in their last 12 internationals.

- Should they get through against Spain, they will set a new unbeaten record for Portugal of 20 games in all competitions.

- They have failed to score in their last two World Cup knockout matches – 0-0 (aet) against England in the quarter-final and a 1-0 defeat to France in the semi-final in 2006.

The four players they wanted to leave Real Madrid during the winter months are the next half of the season in order to be able to get more playing opportunities in order to guarantee the national team in their World Cup status. Ruud van Nistelrooy has been 33 years old, he’s after-tax annual salary of 640 million euros. Real Madrid are willing to termination in the winter and Ruud van Nistelrooy, in order to save half of the season, 3.2 million euros a year. Currently in Rome and Blackburn are hoping to get Ruud van Nistelrooy, but the king of restricted first need to reduce salary requirements.

Four groups in the Real Madrid, Fernando Gago is the first one to break publicly with the high-level. However, Muhammad – Diarra will participate in the African Nations Cup in January, Real Madrid has made it clear Gago will not let go. Unless the Mali team out early in the African Cup of Nations Mohammed – Diyala ahead rejoin, Gago it possible to escape the winter transfer window closed before the Bernabeu, his future will be in AC Milan or Boca Juniors.

With Kaka’s injury, van der Vaart consecutive starting opportunity. But the Dutch also understand that Kaka injury that day, that is, their reintegration bench seat that day. While van der Vaart’s status within the team has risen to above Granero, but the Dutch are not satisfied in every game we just played 20 minutes.

In the four group, Metzelder is probably the most unfortunate. Real Madrid Metzelder was once the beginning of the season’s chief substitute halfback, but because of injury problems and poor performance, he had to give way Sangare. So far this season, Metzelder played a total of only two times that in the 0 to 4 after the defeat Aerkekan he played never won the opportunity. Christoph Metzelder had to express a willingness to give up the World Cup for Real Madrid, but Real Madrid were the Germans to give up, but rekindled the idea of the World Cup. However, as Ramos has been positioned as a right back, Pellegrini still hope to stay Metzelder to prepare for drastic injury-defense.

December 10 reported that: Due to injury, Messi was unable to attend the 2006 Club World Cup, Barca also lost the final to Brazil international. Now, injuries again enveloped in the shadow of the head of the fleas. As a battle against Dynamo Kiev was kicked before the whistle, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has been on the injured list.

In accordance with Barca’s official website saying Messi sprained right ankle, injuries ranging from a level of between 2. Three days later in Barcelona in the derby at home against Espanyol, Messi able to participate in this race is unknown. Barcelona will set off next week’s World Club Cup, Messi is still no injury if at that time, then maybe turn flea Living Club Championship trip turned into a cup.

For the injured Lionel Messi, of course we have to condemn, under the Leandro Blackfoot – Almeida, who had fleas behind Feichan to end the game early, which is obviously a lack of professional ethics of a malicious foul. Overall competition, a total of nine times Messi Dynamo Kiev player has been tipped over, he was the highest number of audience violations player.

But Messi’s injury, but also from their own irrational fleas. In fact, Barcelona has already qualified the final stage of the game, full of red and blue army can pass depletion race time, Macy plays a game of personal breakthrough, which made him become the home team player vent anger objects.

Exist only in the final 10 minutes, Messi on the opponent from behind three times uprooting the last of this foul eventually led to catastrophe, which is directly derived from fleas unnecessary force the ball. Injury is always the biggest enemy of professional players, on how to protect themselves on this issue, Messi There is clearly much to learn.

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