Despite returning to top form, Real Madrid striker Raul has once again been left off of Luis Aragones’ national team squad, a decision that’s drawn the ire of soccer officials and media critics across Spain. Raul has scored four goals and three assists in nine games so far this year, recalling the form of his early years for club and country. He is Spain’s all-time leading scorer with 44 goals in 102 appearances.
However, Spain coach Aragones hasn’t called on Raul in more than a year. Asked why he continues to leave the striker off his squad, Aragones replied with a list of the number of World Cups (three) and European Championships (two) Raul has played in. Then, he said, “How many has he won? Answer me that,” Aragones said. To be fair, Aragones hasn’t won anything, either. In fact, Spain failed to reach the quarterfinals of the European Championships and the last World Cup under Aragones; indeed, many struggle to understand why he’s still in charge.
A Spanish soccer federation sporting director Fernando Hierro points out, Raul’s omission comes at a time when Spain is particularly thin in the striker department: Valencia’s David Villa is out injured, while Liverpool’s Fernando Torres suffered a slight injury in practice this earlier week. Spain is currently second in Euro 2008 Qualifying Group F; it plays Denmark this weekend.