Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has waxed lyrical over the contribution captain Raul has made to the club over the years.

Perez was speaking at the official launch of the veteran striker's biography, 'The Triumph of Values'.

The Madrid native has been a fixture at the Bernabeu for the last 16 years, during which he has scored 228 goals in 550 games for the los Blancos.

In comments reported by AS, Perez said: "Raul will always remind me of Di Stefano because he is an example both as a footballer and as a person. He represents the values of loyalty and professional ethics.

"He has given everything for this club both off and on the pitch and has made the Real Madrid shirt greater. Raul breathes football.

"This club demands and should demand the most from those which make up part of it and Raul loves these challenges and the effort it takes to shoulder that.

"Raul is Real Madrid. Thank you for all the years you have dedicated."

The press has picked up on Perez's use of the past tense in his speech which has further fuelled speculation that the forward could well be on his way out of Madrid this summer.

It was also reported that new coach Jose Mourinho met with Raul recently to discuss ways in which he could continue contributing to his beloved team.