Raul left out of Spain football squad

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Raul Gonzalez has been left out of World Cup qualifiers against Turkey.

New Delhi: Vicente del Bosque appears to have brought Raul Gonzalez's international career to and end after omitting him from his latest squad.

Raul Gonzalez has been left out of Vicente del Bosque's Spain squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Turkey next week and that appears to spell the end of the Real Madrid striker's international career.

Los Merengues' captain was believed to have a good chance of being included and the Spanish media campaign was in overdrive this week as they looked to have him recalled.

But Daniel Guiza has been named in his place despite his inconsistent form with Fenerbahce, while Raul has been in his best form for Madrid and has still not made it.

Early comments from pundits in Spain suggest that there is now no way back for te player that has played 102 times for Spain and scored 44 goals.

There were few other surprises in the squad with Gerard Piqué retained after Del Bosque opted against calling up the injured Carles Puyol, because he is suspended for one of th two matches anyway.

Diego Lopez's form for Villarreal has seen him replace Andres Palop as the third goalkeeper, while Sergio Busquets is in alonside Santi Cazorla in the midfield.

Spain meet Turkey in the Santiago Bernabeu on March 28 and then play again on April 1 in Istanbul in a double-header that could push one of the two countries close to qualification for the World Cup Finals.

The Spanish are currently top of Group Five with 12 points, while Turkey are behind them in second with eight points with Belgium behind on seven points and Bosnia-Herzegovina on six in fourth spot.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Reina, Diego Lopez

Defenders: Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Marchena, Juanito, Capdevila, Pique

Midfielders: Iniesta, Silva, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Riera, Senna, Cazorla, Busquets.

Forwards: Torres, Villa, Llorente, Guiza.