Spain's David Villa ruled out of Euro 2012

Spain's alltime highest goal scorer David Villa has informed Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque he has not fully recovered from a broken leg suffered in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup last December and ruled himself out of their title defence at the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine, the Spanish federation confirmed yesterday.

In December 2011 I had written following article after David Villa's injury: Will David Villa be fit again for Euro2012?

"Villa spoke with the national team coach this afternoon, after the team arrived in Schruns, Austria (for a pre-tournament training camp)," the Spanish federation (RFEF) statement read.

"After failing to achieve the desired progress in recent training sessions, Villa spoke with del Bosque and told him although he would like to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine, his physical state 'isn't the best' for a competition like the Euros."

"The RFEF and Spain's coaching staff wish the player all the best in his recovery and hope he will return soon to the national team, and value the effort made by David to get back to full fitness," the statement ended.

David Villa was a key player in Spain's title triumphs at Euro2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Villa is Spain record goal scorer with 51 goals in 82 international matches.

Villa follows FC Barcelona team mate Carlos Puyol, who also had to pull out of Spain's squad due to injury. Now the focus will be on Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, Valencia's Roberto Soldado, Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo and Atletico Madrid's Adrian Lopez who look certain to be in the squad with Bilbao's Fernando Llorente and Barca's Pedro fighting for a last spot upfront.

Is Spain's Del Bosque considering a Raúl comeback?

The severe injury to FC Barcelona striker David Villa has upset the plans of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for the upcoming 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine next summer. And if Villa doesn't make it in time, then del Bosque will have to find a suitable alternative, then Spain will go into the tournament with the aim to defend their title won four years back in Austria and Switzerland.

A few days ago I had written about the speculation if Villa will make it in time in: Will David Villa be fit again for Euro2012?

A difficult question to answer then one never knows how an injury will heal. The name which seems to ignite old love and passion in Spain is that of 34 year old striker Raúl González Blanco, currently playing the German Bundesliga for FC Schalke 04.

The former Real Madrid star is a legend in his home country. He has played 102 international matches scoring 44 goals for Spain between 1996 and 2006. Many see him still as a top striker which he is proving at Schalke with 10 goals so far this season and especially the three goals against Werder Bremen on the last match day before the mid-season break has caught the attention of the Spanish.

It will be interesting to see if Raul can make an international comeback for Spain.

Will David Villa be fit again for Euro2012?

Spain and FC Barcelona striker David Villa is out for five to six months, which means the 30 year old all-time highest goal scorer for Spain could miss the 2012 European Championship in Poland and the Ukraine for the defending champions.

Villa fractured his shin bone in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal against Al Sadd from Qatar last week and the striker has said his aim would be to be back latest by May 29, 2012; the day of the final of the UEFA Champions League. If he achieves this then we could also play at Euro2012.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has been quiet about the issue so far. He has time on his side, but the media in Spain is already discussing possible replacements for David Villa, then FC Chelsea striker Fernando Torres remains off colour at his club.

The names mentioned are those of FC Valencia striker Roberto Soldado and FC Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo. Some are even calling for a comeback of former Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez, who is having a good season at German Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04.