Roma captain Francesco Totti has paid tribute to former Real Madrid skipper Raul, who left to join Schalke this week.

Raul has been ranked only below Alfredo di Stefano in the list of best players to have stepped on to the Bernabeu pitch and his departure to Germany was a sad moment for Real Madrid fans across the world.

The high esteem in which he is held by fellow professionals can be gauged from Totti's comments about the striker.

In comments reported by Roma's official website, he said:"Sixteen years with the Real Madrid shirt, 323 goals and 741 games... [they are] figures that leave you with your mouth open.

"Apart from being one of the strongest players in Spanish football, he was the soul of Real Madrid.

"I have always admired him. For me he is a great, one that deserved to win the Ballon d'Or.

"He could cover any role and he had goals in his blood.

"Players like him are few and this is why I want to render his honour."

Totti himself has made himself into a byword for excellence at the Stadio Olimpico - having scored 192 goals in 442 games since he started playing in the senior team back in 1993.