New York Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese says that Raul has been an "ambassador" for the club as he prepares to play his final match before retiring.
Raul, 38, moved to the Cosmos at the end of 2014 having spent 16 years with Real Madrid where he won six La Liga and three Champions League titles and became the club's leading all-time scorer (before Cristiano Ronaldo recently overtook him.)
The Spain striker left Madrid in 2010 for spells with Schalke and Al Sadd before moving to America and now has a chance to end his career with another trophy as the Cosmos take on Ottawa Fury in the final of the North American Soccer League on Sunday.
"It was great to have Raul in our squad as an ambassador. He has been an example on and off the pitch," Savarese told AS. "He's well-known [in the United States]. Very few players are as respected as Raul.
"Raul will do whatever he wants [in retirement]. He'll be what he wants. Whatever path he chooses he will be ready for personal success.
"I've no doubt he'll continue to be linked to the sport. I'm sure that football will always be linked to him. The feeling of the fans towards him is a result of his strong bond with football.
"Raul is a very demanding player. Every game is a final for him. He has contributed a lot to achieve important things."
Marcos Senna, who won Euro 2008 with Spain, will also bow out of the game and Savarese also reserved praise for the veteran midfielder.
"There is great admiration for both because they are very good professionals. The Cosmos have grown and they're part of that," he added.
"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."