Spain coach Luis Aragones omitted Raul Gonzalez from his squad for the European Championship yesterday, ignoring pressure to recall the national team's all-time leading scorer.
Raul, who has scored 44 goals in 102 international matches, hasn't played for Spain since a 2-3 qualifying loss in Northern Ireland in September 2006.
However, many believed the Real Madrid captain deserved a recall after scoring 18 goals this season to help his team to a record 31st Spanish league title, his sixth in 14 seasons at the club.
"There has been a debate (about Raul) because he has been an extraordinary player and is a media icon," Aragones said.
"I look at players, not if their clubs are first, second or third in the standings. There are other players who, in terms of the minutes they have played, have scored more goals and they're not going either."
Raul, who turns 31 next month, had played in the previous five World Cup and European Championships.
He hinted about his omission on Thursday, saying his plans after the season ends on Sunday were to "rest and gather forces."
Instead of Raul, Aragones opted for Zaragoza rookie Sergio Garcia as his fourth striker for the June 7-29 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
Garcia could have faced competition from 17-year-old Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic, but the latter opted out due to the fatigue of his debut season in the first team.
Another newcomer was midfielder Santi Cazorla, who has helped Villarreal finish runner-up this season, the best placing in its history.
Cazorla replaced Albert Riera, who has featured in Aragones' recent squads. Riera was one of three Espanyol players omitted, the others being strikers Raul Tamudo and Luis Garcia.
Another discarded player was Valencia midfielder David Albelda, who was axed by then team coach Ronald Koeman in December. Koeman's dismissal in April led to Albelda's recall to Valencia's team, but Aragones said he hadn't played enough since then to merit inclusion.
Aragones included five players from English clubs - goalkeeper Pepe Reina, defender Alvaro Arbeloa, midfielder Xabi Alonso and striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool, together with Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
The other 18 squad members all play in Spain, with Valencia supplying the most with four - defenders Raul Albiol and Carlos Marchena, midfielder David Silva and striker David Villa.
Villarreal has three players.
Aragones' team then kicks off in Group D against Russia on June 10. It plays Sweden on June 14 before facing defending champion Greece four days later.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily May 18, 2008)