3/18/2009

Real Madrid's Raul remains calm over possible return to int'l duty



Real Madrid's captain Raul Gonzalez attends a news conference before a training session at Anfield in Liverpool March 9, 2009.

MADRID, March 19-- Real Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez said on Wednesday he was indifferent over the chance of a surprise recall to the Spain international squad.



Real Madrid's Raul Gonzalez smiles during a news conference before a training session at Anfield in Liverpool March 9, 2009.

Although he is the highest scorer in the history of the Spain national team, with 44 goals in 102 appearances, Raul has not played for his country since the end of the 2006 World Cup.

Current Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has never picked Raul to play for Spain, despite having been his club coach at Real Madrid. However, the fact that Dani Guiza will not be picked for Spain's forthcoming World Cup qualifying games for disciplinary reasons, has once again opened the debate over whether or not Raul should return to play for his country.

He is still the first choice at Real Madrid and will compete along with Almeria forward Alvaro Negredo and Villarreal's Joseba Llorente for the fourth striking role in the squad.

"I have a lot of other things to worry about, rather than to think about that," the website of sport paper Marca quoted Raul assaying on Wednesday.

"If I am called up, I would be delighted, because it is always a privilege to play for your country, but I am not going to lose sleep about it," said the player, who thought his form should speak for itself.

"Everyone can look at my form and the person who has to bear it in mind is the person who decides. I am calm, my situation has not changed and it is not going to vary," he said.
(Xinhua)

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