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Spain's Raul Posted: Thursday May 23, 2002 1:57 PM
By Patrick Snell, CNNSI.com Whether it be the Champions League or Primera Liga titles, the golden boy of Spanish football has won it all in club football. But when it comes to playing at the highest level for his country, Spain and Real Madrid's Raul are yet to taste the big-time. At France 98, the Spanish failed dismally in the group stage, and that's what is spurring him on this time around. "I have many hopes for the World Cup, but we know how hard it'll be for us," Raul said. "Our underachievement last time really hit us hard. We were among the first countries to get on the plane and go home." At just 24, Raul is Spain's serial goalscorer. He's already scored over 100 times for the club he joined as a teenager. After the disappointment in France four years ago, he believes Spanish football is ready to take off. In Euro 2000, the side was narrowly beaten by eventual winner France, and there's an inner-belief the national team is slowly improving. "We will try so hard to take things slowly and gradually," he said. "We hope to put things right on the pitch. "With much effort and much concentration, we believe we can achieve things at the highest level." One senses that -- having won everything with Real -- Raul Gonzalez is more than ready to take the global platform and truly shine. World Sport, the sports news show that airs on CNN International, previewed many of the individuals expected to shine at the World Cup.
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