Shock: Raúl not called up for Spain

By European Football
October 3 2006

Spanish team coach Luis Aragonés has decided to leave Real Madrid star Raúl González out of the squad for the upcoming match against Sweden for the Euro Cup 2008 Qualifiers. But he did call two surprise players: Valencia’s winger Miguel Ángel Angulo and Depor full back Joan Capdevila. The absence of Raúl has caught the attention of everyone and proved to be a shocker for all media, fans and players. Even after having played an important role for Real Madrid in the team’s past matches against Dinamo Kyiv and Atlético Madrid, Luis Aragonés refused to call Raúl up for the match against Sweden (Ibrahimovic won’t be playing) and the friendly against Argentina. The coach stated:

“I haven’t called Raúl to let him know.

“I always talk to the injured players; Raúl is not an exceptional case.

“I call the players that can do best in the forthcoming match.

Atlético Madrid star Fernando Torres commented on the issue:

“We are all surprised by Raúl’s absence.

“He always carries the weight of the team in his back and now we are going to have to share it with the other players.

“There are veteran players that have been here for long and they will have to take the responsibility.

The squad for the matches is conformed by: Antonio López, Pablo Ibáñez and Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid), Cesc (Arsenal), Iniesta, Puyol and Xavi (Barcelona), Juanito (Betis), Capdevila (Deportivo), Reina, Xabi Alonso and Luis García (Liverpool), Casillas, Reyes and Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Albelda, Villa and Angulo (Valencia).

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