Spain's veteran footballer and previous captain said today that starting on the bench as a substitute in the World Cup Finals Group G match against Ukraine.

"I'm not hurt by being a substitute... All 23 players in the squad want to play, but the coach has chosen 11 for the first game and there will be opportunities for all of us," Raul said.

Revealing that head coach Luis Aragones left him out of the starting line-up for Spain's opening match in the World Cup 2006 tournament against Ukraine.

"Although I talk to him every day, he hasn't said anything special to me. I'm just another member of the squad and he doesn't have to give me any special explanations. I may not be in the starting 11, but that's not important."

Regarding Luis Aragones' plans for the match, Raul just said that the team has worked hard during the training camps and did not reveal any further information.

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