Captain Raúl gave the first press conference in Irdning. The player is extremely excited about the upcoming season and said one of the team's main goals this year will be to win the Champions League.

It must be strange to start the pre-season without new faces on the squad... 
We've won the league two years in a row and we currently have a great squad, both on a personal and professional level. There's always a possibility for players to come and go every summer. The important thing is to get back into shape. I'm sure we will welcome anybody who joins us. We will regrettably wish all the best to those who leave, if anyone must that is.

It seems Chelsea are interested in Robinho, but Ronaldo hasn't been signed yet...
That's somehting for the Club and the Sporting Director to comment on. Robinho is an excellent player who has improved throughout these years. He played at a very high level last season. I think any team would like to have Cristiano.

Ferguson has told Ronaldo that the worst thing he could do is to sign for Real Madrid. What would you like to say to that?
I haven't heard that, but coming to this Club is the best thing that can happen to any player on a professional level and also personally, as he would live in a fantastic city. Everything that happens at Real Madrid is important and I would never dream of giving it up. I've been here for 14 years.

Has the Club consulted you on Cristiano's possible signing?
I think he is a brilliant player, one of the most unsettling men on a pitch at the moment, who scored many goals last year. He won the Premiership and the Champions League. He is a great footballer, like many others. It's up to the Club's sports directorship to decide if he comes or not. I guess they will be working hard on it if they deem his joining the team necessary.

Last year, the team proved that you don't need big stars to earn good results. Do you think such a star could be detrimental to the team?
There's no reason why it should. It could be very positive given that the core of the team is solidly structured. We have a great squad with excellent players. I'm quite sure whoever join us this year will be quality players. They will be welcomed here very warmly and they will adapt to the team very quickly. We have a great group of people here. We know how to work towards winning a title; we've been doing so in the last couple of seasons. We have very iportant goals for the present campaign. Having won two league titles will make our fans demand a Champiosn League title and good performances. I think this team has players capable of achieving this.

How do you face the season personally?
I am very excited about it, as usual. I feel very well and I hope to train as best as I can and to be fit to help the team in the many competitions we will participate in. We should all be excited. Our first goal is to win the Spanish Super Cup.

Is one of your goals to return to the Spanish national team?
My goal is to feel well at my Club and to work as well as I did last year. It's not up to me to be in the national team. Spain has to play in World Cup qualifiers and every Spanish player would like to be on the squad. I will work hard and, if I happen to be called up, will be delighted with being given such a chance.

What do you think about Del Bosque as the new coach?
Luis Aragonés and all his men have taken Spanish football to the very top and the most important goal the team has right now is to make the cut for the World Cup. Vicente now has a great chance and he deserves it after the great work he did with us. He is capable of carrying on with the good work Spain has been doing lately.

Did you enjoy the Euro 2008? 
Immensely, especially after the quarterfinals. Spain was the best team and deserved to win. I was as thrilled as every other Spaniard.

Were you slightly jealous?
Every player would've liked to be there, but I enjoyed myself much at home also, watching how Spain was superior in every game.

What's your greatest goal this year?
To have as much fun as I did last year.

Real Madrid have been eliminated form the Champions League in the Last 16 four years now. What's the goal in the competition this year?
The circumstances last year weren't in our favour when we reached that stage. We sustained many injuries and had been playing irregularly. Roma surprised us. One of our main goals is to win the comeptition, but we shouldn't just focus on that. We should take each game at a time and focus in every training session. We have to take every possible point to gain confidence. Many of our players who missed many matches last year will perform very well this season. We will all do even better because competition amongst us will be greater. We all expect the team to perform better this year.

Sneijder said a few days ago that it would be bad for the team if Cristiano Ronaldo ended up earning more money than the rest. What do you think?
The good vibes on the team will be the same with or without Cristiano. We each have to think about the day to day activities we have. Our unity won't break for such a thing.

Barcelona seem rather unstable. What do you think about the changes they are making?
These things happen at big clubs when results aren't good. Barcelona are always strong contenders for titles. I am very happy for Guardiola and I hope things go well for him as long as we win.

How many more years do you think you will be able to play at an optimum level?
At least three, which is the amount of time I have left on my contract. One has to think about the present, though. We are currently all very happy and working very well. We are going to try to keep this great atmosphere going and enjoy ourselves. My future will depend on how I feel. I will have to think things through at the end of every season.

Do you think you have a chance to play in the 2010 World Cup?
It would be nice to be there, but it isn't a goal I should set myself right now. I haven't played for Spain in a long time and the squad the team has right now is formed by the current European champions. The most beautiful thing in this world is to play for your country and I've always tried to do my best. I will continue to do so. It would be like making my debut again if I make the cut once more.

Do you think the team's character will change with Del Bosque?
I think every player now has a chance to make the cut. We have to stay calm and enjoy ourselves. The current squad is excellent and it must form the basis for the team that goes to the World Cup. There is an excellent atmosphere on the team and we should let the players and the coaching staff be. I'm sure they will do fine.