Guti Wants Another Opportunity With Spain

Real Madrid midfielder Jose Maria Gutierrez 'Guti' confessed to Radio Marca that he would love to return to the Spanish national team for the European Championship later this year.

Guti, who has been in good form for Spanish league leaders Real Madrid this season, told reporters that he is always very motivated to play for his country, and that he identifies himself with the national team.

He confessed that "it hurts not to have played in any World Cup or a continental championship," and that he hopes that he will have an opportunity to play for Spain this year.

"I work hard to play well for [Real] Madrid, and to be selected for the European championship, which is one of my main goals," he explained.

The gifted midfielder insisted that Spanish national team coach Luis Aragones is unlikely to select him, because "Luis has already made it clear: he would prefer a different type of player."

Guti doesn't like his chances of being selected for the European championship, because he feels that Aragones doesn't rate him very highly.

"I have to be calm, because Luis thinks that there are better players than me, and I can't change that," he affirmed.

"They always have said that the best players have to play for the national team. In the past lots of players could have played for the national team, but preferred not to. Aragones is confident in his group, and we have to respect that."