Raúl Signs His Own Euro 2008 Death Warrant

Raúl held a joint press conference with Spain coach Luis Aragonés yesterday, where the finally back-in-form Real Madrid striker basically asked the people and press to stop hollering for his international recall. Raúl hasn’t played for Spain since the 3-2 defeat to Northern Ireland back in 2006, and for a while there he didn’t really deserve to. But this season Raúl has been doing the business for Real again with 15 goals so far, and there’s been a clamour for Spain’s all time leading scorer (44 goals in 102 games) to get a recall in time for Euro 2008. But at yesterday’s press conference, Raúl asked everyone to calm down.

The Spain team should be above all this. The coach should be supported in his job, I want the best for Spain. We spoke about it and decided this was the best way to move forward. Nothing has happened of a serious nature between us. Aragonés has my utmost respect.

The show of unity was intended to sweep the rumours of a falling out between the two men under the Spanish carpet, but if the press do as Raúl asks then the demands for his recall could dry up. It’s very noble of Raúl to put the national team’s health ahead of his own career. But he’s 30 years old now, and his chances of international glory with Spain are getting smaller every year. Euro 2008 could even be his last roll of the dice. Unless Spain are kicked out anyway.