Raul responded by claiming that dropping back a notch in attack has reduced
his scoring chances.
"For the past few seasons I've been a lot further out from the goal, and no
one realises the work I do. If you're a striker, you have a lot more chances to
score," said Raul.
In past World Cups Raul has produced mixed results.
In 1998 he failed to live up to the hype, but bounced back in 2002 scoring
three goals before an ankle injury ended his campaign before the quarter-finals.
With the days ticking down to Spain's Group H opener against Ukraine, it is
perhaps to Raul's benefit that he enjoys the loyalty of both Torres and
Aragones.
"Our leader is Raul, there's no doubt about it," said Torres.
As one of the most exciting forwards to emerge from Spain in recent years,
word of Torres' striking talents has already spread and past rumours linked him
with a move to the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, AC Milan and Chelsea.
For the time being, Torres appears to be happy at Madrid's lesser known
football club, for whom he has scored 13 goals so far this season.
After the season Raul has endured, Spain will be looking to El Nino to blow
the opposition away.
And perhaps it is a sign of maturity beyond his years that Torres knows of
the country's expectations of advancing to the latter stages in Germany.
"We've always had a team capable of going past the quarter-finals, but every
time we get to that stage a lot of other factors come into play," said Torres
shortly after being confirmed in Luis Aragones squad.
"Maybe, psychologically, we are thinking that the quarter-final match is a
barrier, and that does us no good.
"If you want to be the champion you have to play against the good national
sides and beat them.
"I don't believe names matter in a World Cup. If you want to win, you have to
beat everybody."
