Raul responded by claiming that dropping back a notch in attack has reduced his scoring chances.

"For the past few seasons I've been a lot further out from the goal, and no one realises the work I do. If you're a striker, you have a lot more chances to score," said Raul.

In past World Cups Raul has produced mixed results.

In 1998 he failed to live up to the hype, but bounced back in 2002 scoring three goals before an ankle injury ended his campaign before the quarter-finals.

With the days ticking down to Spain's Group H opener against Ukraine, it is perhaps to Raul's benefit that he enjoys the loyalty of both Torres and Aragones.

"Our leader is Raul, there's no doubt about it," said Torres.

As one of the most exciting forwards to emerge from Spain in recent years, word of Torres' striking talents has already spread and past rumours linked him with a move to the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, AC Milan and Chelsea.

For the time being, Torres appears to be happy at Madrid's lesser known football club, for whom he has scored 13 goals so far this season.

After the season Raul has endured, Spain will be looking to El Nino to blow the opposition away.

And perhaps it is a sign of maturity beyond his years that Torres knows of the country's expectations of advancing to the latter stages in Germany.

"We've always had a team capable of going past the quarter-finals, but every time we get to that stage a lot of other factors come into play," said Torres shortly after being confirmed in Luis Aragones squad.

"Maybe, psychologically, we are thinking that the quarter-final match is a barrier, and that does us no good.

"If you want to be the champion you have to play against the good national sides and beat them.

"I don't believe names matter in a World Cup. If you want to win, you have to beat everybody."