You're welcome Chic_Raul_ista, footballfan#7 & Aga

Raul press conference today...

"Risking our options to the title at home with the support of our fans will be in our benefit"

Raúl González talked about the refereeing decisions in the game against Racing on Saturday, the team's situation and the League in general.

Saturday's game was very intense. Emerson seemed to be niggled but he continued playing...

It was a very intense game. I was in pain since the second minute because someone stepped on one of my toenails. Emerson must have been able to continue if he didn't ask to be replaced.

Have you lost your options to winning the title?

We didn't deserve to lose on Saturday. We worked hard to earn three or at least one point. The defeat was a major setback for us. There are still some games left and none of the leading teams seem to be very regular. Barcelona earned an important victory, but nothing's decided yet. The next three games will determine if we can still win the League or not.

How does the squad feel after Saturday's defeat?

We have already forgotten about it and we only think about the fact that we will have to play another final against a great team and that not winning three points at home will make things very hard for us, both to win the title and to qualify for the Champions League. We were all disappointed on Saturday, but we must move on.

So, you felt disappointed?

We felt we made a great effort. We led in the game for a few minutes, but suddenly we lost. We shouldn't think about it any more. We thought the referee made some wrong decisions. Now we must fight to win the points against Valencia. We have chances of winning the League and we are going to use them well.

Do you think the referee's decisions were decisive for the outcome on Saturday?

We were risking a lot and the referee made two mistakes that made us lose the game. That enraged us. Nevertheless, we also make mistakes. We only want to train and to do things right.

Do you think the Club should do something about the refereeing decisions against Racing?

The Club should decide what to do. The players won't talk about what happened. I respect refereees because their job is very difficult. We all make mistakes on the pitch, and by all I mean players, referees, line judges and even the fans sometimes. We must all help them do their job.

Have you returned to your natural position?

I feel better where I play now and I enjoy it more. I think I play better too. I'm not saying this because I scored one goal in the last two games. I'm saying it because I've always done better in that position and it allows me to score more goals. I am definiteley far from being physically tired.

Why haven't the coaches you've had lately seen this?

I don't know. I am a goal scorer and the closer I am to the box, the better. I have been able to play well in different positions because I make sacrifices for the team and the Club. That's how all the coaches I've had have seen things, but I know where I play best.

Has not playing in your natural position been detrimental for you?

Probably. The different changes of positioning may have been detrimental, but I have always worked with excitement and passion, even when people didn't think much of my performances. It's worth it to try things out in order to help the team win titles.

Do Barcelona have champion's luck

They have leader's luck, not champion's luck. I hope luck looks this way from now on.

Is Real Madrid going to be the team that determines the outcome of the League?

We have very important games ahead of us –Valencia, Sevilla, Zaragoza- and we can be strong contenders for the title and for a spot in the champions League next year. The next few weeks will be very intense, but at the end of the day, risking our options to the title at home with the support of our fans will be in our benefit.

Do you think La Liga has lost some of its quality?

The Spanish League has great teams and three of them are going to play this year's UEFA semifinals. Every week in La Liga is very tight; anyone can win. Maybe it doesn't have the quality it's had other years, but I think it is still an excellent competition.

Do you know anything about the interest other clubs have in you?

I don't. My future is here. I am excited about being at Real Madrid and I still have three more years on my contract. I'm not worried because the Club hasn't told me anything. I know some rumours say the Club actually wants me to leave, but I don't know where they come from. I think I have proven my devotion to this Club and I don't intend to leave any time soon.

There could be another election this summer. What do you think of that?

We only think about the sports side of the Club. Every Madridista wants stability within the Club. There's been confusion for a long time, but now we have a new President and we have to give people time to develop their projects. It is impossible to find a way out of a complicated situation in only a few months.

Thanks !!!

Raul dismisses reports about Real Madrid exit

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid captain Raul reiterated his desire on Monday to see out his career at the Bernabeu despite media reports that the club are prepared to offload him at the end of the season.

"I have heard nothing from Real Madrid so I'm relaxed about it. My future is here and I've got three years left on my contract," Raul told a news conference.

"The stories about me leaving must be because someone wants me to go, but I don't know where they are coming from. I've proved my commitment to this club over many years and I've no intention of leaving."

Photo

The 29-year-old, who is in his 13th season in the Real Madrid first team, has been the target for criticism in recent seasons because of his failure to recapture the sort of form that once made him Spain's most prized player.

Raul admitted that the decision of successive coaches to play him in a deeper role had affected his form and that he was delighted that present boss Fabio Capello was now playing him in his favoured position up front.

"I'm a goal scorer and the closer I play to the area, the better, although if I have to play elsewhere I will always be prepared to sacrifice myself for the club."

The striker, who has scored twice in the last two games, distanced himself from media criticism of the referee for awarding two controversial penalties against Real in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Racing Santander.

"We are all upset because we thought we could win the game," he said. "The referee made a mistake on two occasions and of course you become a little angry, but we all make mistakes.

"I always respect the referees because they've got a very difficult job."

Real, who have not won a major trophy since 2003, are in third place in the Primera Liga, five points behind leaders Barcelona with eight games to play. They host fourth-placed Valencia on Saturday.

AT LAST...

I am so happy he said that

I honestly can't even image Real Madrid without him. I hope he does finish his contract and continues playing the way he is.

"The stories about me leaving must be because someone wants me to go, but I don't know where they are coming from. I've proved my commitment to this club over many years and I've no intention of leaving."

"The stories about me leaving must be because someone wants me to go, but I don't know where they are coming from. I've proved my commitment to this club over many years and I've no intention of leaving."

Your such a sweetie.

AS...

X Aniversario Fundación Real Madrid

El Presidente del Real Madrid, Ramón Calderón, presidirá el acto conmemorativo del X Aniversario de la Fundación que tendrá lugar mañana jueves 19 de abril, a las 13h, en la sala de prensa de la Ciudad Real Madrid en Valdebebas. El portero Iker Casillas será nombrado “Padrino del X Aniversario de la Fundación” y el capitán del primer equipo, Raúl González, recibirá la tarjeta que le acredita como “Socio de Honor” de la Institución.

En dicho acto, el Director General de la Fundación, Carlos Abella, presentará las distintas actividades que se desarrollarán a lo largo del año: Torneos deportivos entre nuestras propias escuelas y las de otras Fundaciones, competiciones de veteranos, torneo benéfico de golf, campaña de captación de socios, Gala extraordinaria X Aniversario, exposición fotográfica conmemorativa, incentivos para los socios de la Fundación, participación en la Ruta Quetzal y la inserción del logotipo del X Aniversario en distintas actividades del Club.

Raul will recieve the Socios Card of Honour tomorrow, I hope Mamen will be there.

Thanks Chic_Raul_ista

Mijatovic: "Raúl will retire at Real Madrid"

Real Madrid's Sporting Director, Pedja Mijatovic, paid a visit to Cadena SER's El Larguero to review the team's current situation.

"I'm not happy with the referees, but I'm not the only one. After watching the game on Saturday and seeing the players' faces, I'm the one who has to talk about it. We were worried about some things that happened during the game, so our post-match comments were normal given what happened. I never said there was a conspiracy against us. My answer to the question was that I didn't believe there was one, but we are nevertheless worried about the things that are happening. It's hard to explain what's going on. We lost an important game. Let's hope the referees don't make any more mistakes."

"We played really well against Racing and we deserved to win. We didn't know how to finish off the game, but I don't think our defeat was a failure. I don't think Racing played better than us. We deserved to win by a large goal difference. The coach doesn't want to comment on the referee's performance."

"Raúl will stay at Real Madrid because he is our captain. He is a great player who means a lot to this Club. He's got three years left on his contract and he'll stay with us until he retires. We haven't talked to him about the offers we've received for him because he still has three more years on his contract."

"Cristiano Ronaldo is only 22 years old and under a lot of pressure. I expected Manchester United to renew his contract. These things don't worry me. Cristiano currently has a contract with a worldwide important team. Many clubs have been interested in him."

Your welcome!

"The stories about me leaving must be because someone wants me to go, but I don't know where they are coming from. I've proved my commitment to this club over many years and I've no intention of leaving."

Your such a sweetie.

Thank you

REAL CHIEF WARNS REDS OFF RAUL

Real Madrid supremo Predrag Mijatovic has warned Liverpool off a move for Raul as he expects the striker to 'retire' at the Bernabeu.

Anfield boss Rafael Benitez had reportedly been monitoring the 29-year-old Spain international's situation under coach Fabio Capello, with a view to making a summer move.

But the former Valencia coach has been told by Real's sporting director Mijatovic that he has no chance of landing the Madrid legend.

"Raul will stay at Real Madrid because he is our captain. He is a great player who means a lot to this club," Mijatovic told Real's official website.

"He's got three years left on his contract and he'll stay with us until he retires. We haven't talked to him about the offers we've received for him because he still has three more years on his contract."