In his column for Marca, Capello wrote: "When I returned to coach Real Madrid for the 2006-07 season, it seemed that the first priority was to loan out Raul.

"Why? First because of his age and then because his contract was too expensive when compared to his performance on the field.

"At the first meeting with the president and the technical staff, I expressed my doubts about what was being said, I said that a player of 30 years of age with class and personality was key to the team."