No international recall for Raul
17 May 2008 - 14:32:00
Veteran Spain coach Luis Aragones has left Real Madrid striker Raul out of his 23-man squad for next month's European Championship.
The 31-year-old had been expected to win a recall to the squad despite being in the international wilderness since September 2006.
However, Aragones has opted to include the uncapped Real Zaragoza forward Sergio Garcia in his squad instead.
Aragones said of his decision not to recall Raul: "It isn't a case of ending the debate over Raul. 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."
Spain squad for Euro 2008:
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).