RAUL PROFILE

Having claimed the title of Spain's all-time leading goal-scorer at the age of just 26, he now has some 42 international goals to his name, but has endured a difficult time with injury and poor form over the past couple of seasons.

At his best he is an intelligent, skilful forward and a natural finisher, but after a poor season with Real which yielded a paltry five goals, there is now a real debate as to whether there should be a place for him in Luis Aragones' line-up.

Raul started out with local side San Cristobal, before moving to Real's cross-town rivals Atletico where he notched 65 goals in one season at the age of just 13.

Following two years at Atletico he switched allegiances to Real where his meteoric rise saw him make his debut for Los Merengues at just 17 years and four months - the youngest in the history of the club.

After scoring on his Real debut the quietly-spoken forward has went gone on to establish himself as arguably the leading Spanish player of his generation, remaining a model of consistency for the best part of a decade.

With four Spanish titles, three UEFA Champions League successes and nearly 100 international caps to his name, Raul's quality cannot be called into question, however, concerns now linger about his fitness.

The 28-year-old missed three months of the past campaign due to a knee complaint and did not look anywhere near his sharpest when he did return for the closing weeks of the season.

With Fernando Torres and the prolific David Villa almost certain starters for Spain this summer it could prove hard to accommodate Raul, although his experience and goal-scoring record at international level could just persuade Aragones to start him behind a front two.

With a point to prove in a relatively young squad, the World Cup finals could just be the ideal stage for the Real darling to prove he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.