Raúl Pessimistic About Iker’s Chances
Thursday, 09 October 08, 10:42 AM
Real Madrid captain Raúl is sceptical about goalkeeper, Iker Casillas’ chances of winning the 2008 Ballon d’Or despite his candidacy gaining more and more support.
The race for France Football magazine’s European Player of the Year (Golden Ball) is hotting up as the announcement for the shortlist draws nearer.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who had a stunning campaign last term to help his club retain the La Liga throne before guiding Spain to Euro 08 glory, continues to be one of the hot favourites to at least finish amongst the top three best players of the year.
In Spain’s own award ceremony organized by Marca this past Monday, in which Casillas took home the Trofeo Zamora as La Liga’s best goalkeeper of 2007/08, numerous influential figures from writers to coaches to politicians to former players – including Di Stéfano, Butragueño and Buyo – all came out to throw their support behind the 27 year old, stating that it is about time a non-outfield player pick up the accolade.
However, current club skipper Raúl is pessimistic that the judging panel will feel the same way as he believes history is not on his deputy captain’s side.
“I hope Iker can win it because he was one of the best in the Eurocopa and he helped us win the league, but it’s always more difficult for a goalkeeper because their merits are not recognized,” he said in an interview with a local Madrid newspaper.
“The will also be a lot of other great candidates such as Torres, Xavi and Villa. The Golden Ball will have a very distinct Spanish flavour this year but it is Cristiano Ronaldo who is the favourite,” added Raúl.
Indeed, Casillas will have his work cut out for him as only one goalkeeper has ever previously won the award, Russia’s Black Spider, Lev Yashin in 1963.
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Raúl: Three More Years In Madrid
Friday, 26 September 08, 09:10 AM
The media-shy captain rarely gives interviews outside the club walls but he spoke to Radio Marca program, La Futbolería yesterday after feeling the need to clear up certain issues which have been hitting the headlines lately.
One of which has been his immediate future and the 31 year old made that his number subject during the broadcast.
“I will have at least three more years in Madrid, which is what I have on my contract, and from then on I will go year by year and see how things go,” he began.
“But now, I am just taking things day by day, although it will become more customary to see me on the bench during games.
“I have spent 14 years in football, playing many games. I have always been there to help the team, sometimes coming off the bench, other times as a starter. There will be no problems,” he confessed.
Raúl then acknowledged that there is debate about that very topic at present and whether or not he should be a regular starter upfront despite his lack of form and goals.
“When I go five games without a goal, there’s always a debate. Everything else that I do on the pitch is never valued.
But this does not upset me. I will keep on fighting,” he added.
The record-breaking goalscorer then praised his two successors, one at club level and the other at national level.
“ Higuaín is enjoying very good form at present and he will be even better in the future,” he said of Pipita.
“Villa is one of the best strikers in Europe today. And it is not true that I prevented his move. I do not decide these things.
“I only have an opinion, which I must give as a player and the captain of this team,” he clarified.
Finally, he paid tribute to the current La Selección outfit after they clinched their first international silverware in over 40 years.
“After our success in the Eurocopa, we have the possibility to triumph in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,” Raúl beamed, before admitting that he remained in contact with his La Roja teammates throughout the Swiss-Austro championships.
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Raúl Doubtful Against Numancia
Wednesday, 10 September 08, 01:46 PM
Real Madrid coach, Bernd Schuster could see his fears of a striker shortage start to emerge this weekend as Raúl appears set to be ruled out.
Marca has reported that the Los Blancos captain has not set foot on a football field for training in the last eight days, choosing instead to remain in the gym to focus on a muscle toning exercise regime.
Although his condition and match fitness levels are unknown at this stage, the idea is for the 31 year old to be 100% fit and ready for the midweek Champions League opener against BATE Borisov and as such, Schuster could take decision to rest the ‘Number 7’.
This is exactly what the German trainer had feared all summer long and the club’s failure to bring in his requested back-up striker could be exposed early on in the season, even if it is just for one game.
Madrid do have Argentines, Gonzalo Higuaín and Javier Saviola as cover – and the former will be favourites to start – but it remains to be seen how Schuster will tweak his strategy and formation to accommodate Raúl’s likely absence.
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On Raúl: Three More Years In Madrid