Raul signs off on his brilliant career in style as Real Madrid legend helps New York Cosmos claim NASL title victory

• New York Cosmos claim the NASL title with a 3-2 victory over Ottawa Fury 
• Striker Gaston Cellerino netted hat-trick to guide legendary club to win
• Former Real Madrid star Raul moved to the Cosmos in 2014 from Al Sadd
• He signed off on his legendary career with another medal for his collection
• Marcos Senna, who starred for Spain at Euro 2008, also played his last game

By Rory Keane for MailOnline

Published: 20:32 EST, 15 November 2015 | Updated: 12:59 EST, 16 November 2015

Spanish legend Raul signed off on an illustrious career as the former Real Madrid striker helped New York Cosmos claim the NASL title with a 3-2 victory against Ottawa Fury.

After 16 years in La Liga with Los Blancos, Raul had playing stints with Schalke in the Bundesliga and Qatari side Al Sadd before moving to the Cosmos at the end of the 2014 season.

Gaston Cellerino's hat-trick secured the Cosmos their second league title since their 2010 reforming to bring down the curtain on the 38-year-old icon's 21-year career in which he won 22 trophies.

Raul is hoisted up by his New York Cosmos team-mates following their 3-2 victory over Ottawa Fury 

Former Real Madrid star Raul was playing the final match of his illustrious 21-year career

Cosmos players celebrate Gaston Cellerino's strike in the NASL final on Sunday night 

Raul signed for the Cosmos in 2014 after stints with Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga and Qatari side Al Sadd

In the build-up to Sunday night's finale, Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese hailed Raul as an 'ambassador' for the club.

'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.'

In front of a NASL post-season record crowd of just over 10,000, the Cosmos took the lead after just eight minutes when Cellerino took a Danny Szetela header on his chest before firing past Ottawa keeper Romauld Peiser. 

Spanish paper AS commemorates Raul's final game as the forward celebrates with champagne

New York Cosmos' Cellerino scored a hat-trick on Raul's final match in football

Giovanni Savarese's side celebrate their seventh NASL Championship triumph on Sunday night 

Ottawa looked to push back but were immediately but were setback when Mason Trafford was sent off for a two-foot stamp. 

Tom Heinemann equalised 15 minutes into the second half but the Cosmos were back in front almost immediately when Cellerino tapped in to double his tally.

Raul played a part in what proved to be the decisive third goal, playing the Argentine in on goal before the striker finished from 16 yards.

Heinemann scored a consolation in injury time but Ottawa were unable to spoil Raul's party. 

The former Spain international's countryman Marcos Senna also called time on his career and the pair celebrated at the final whistle.

Raul was hoisted up by his team-mates before they lifted the Soccer Bowl trophy.

Raul and his New York Cosmos team-mates celebrate their NASL title triumph in their dressing room 

Raul enjoys a quiet moment in the victorious dressing room as he signed off a career that spanned 20 years 

Raul celebrates with former Spain international and current team-mate Marcos Senna

Fans hold up signs in solidarity with the victims of the Paris attacks during the New York Cosmos game

He later said: 'Apart from the most important titles, I've had the love of many people, of all the clubs I have played and [their] rivals. It is the best reward.' 

And Savarese added: 'We feel very lucky, our organisation, to have these two great players retire with us. 'These two great players I had the pleasure to coach makes a coach’s life easier because of the quality when they play.

'They were very important all year to push everybody to higher standards. The way they finished their careers today couldn’t be any other way because they’ve been successful.'

Senna starred for Spain at Euro 2008, being named by some pundits as the player of the tournament in the triumph that sparked off his country's domination of international football.

The 39-year-old defensive midfielder left Villarreal in 2013 after 11 years with the La Liga club to see out his career in the States.

Raul is launched into the air by the Real Madrid squad after a clash between Al-Sadd and the Spanish giants

Raul proudly holds the 2007 La Liga title during Madrid's victory parade Comunidad de Madrid in 2007 

Raul acknowledges the crowd following the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy match in 2013 

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