Real Madrid hitman Raul has been left out of Luis Aragones’ Euro 2008 squad.
This latest omission will not come as much of a surprise to many, as Aragones has taken a tough anti-Raul stance since he dropped him from the Spain squad in 2006.
Although Raul is the top scorer in the history of both the UEFA Champions League and the Spanish national side (44 goals in 102 apperances) the Real captain has not returned to wear the Red and Gold shirt since, something that has bemused Spanish fans.
Aragones told BBC Sport, “It isn’t a case of ending the debate over Raul,” he said. “I focus on the players not the clubs. There are other players who have scored more goals (than Raul) per minutes played, and they aren’t coming either.”
Another notable name that is missing from the list is Barcelona’s 17-year-old striker Bojan, who has impressed many during his first season for the Catalan giants. Aragones said his ommission was down to fatigue: “I spoke with Bojan and he told me he was physically and mentally tired and I trust him when he says he isn’t in the best shape to come.”
In other news from the squad, 5 members of the 23-man squad come from the heights of the English Premier League. Aragones has selected Liverpool’s Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres, in addition to the PFA Young Player of the Year, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. The other 18 players all ply their trade in Spain.
However, the question still remains whether Spain will miss Raul. This video gives you a taster of what Aragones’ squad will be missing.
The full squad is shown below:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Andres Palop (Sevilla).
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis), Fernando Navarro (Mallorca), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), David Silva (Valencia), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Ruben De La Red (Getafe), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal).
Forwards: Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia), Daniel Guiza (Mallorca), Sergio Garcia (Zaragoza).
(Source: BBC)
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