Raul nearly quit Real after Getafe defeat, says Calderon

MADRID, Oct 24 (Reuters) Spain striker Raul considered quitting Real Madrid after they slumped to defeat against Getafe 10 days ago, club president Ramon Calderon has said.

Real put on an abysmal display when they lost 1-0 away to modest neighbours Getafe and hardly managed a shot on target.

''After what happened in Getafe he told me that he really suffered and that he couldn't sleep,'' Calderon was reported as saying in the Spanish media today.

''He said that if things continued in the same vein he would leave and free the club from paying the rest of his contract.'' Real bounced back from that game with a convincing 4-1 win away to Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League last Tuesday, and topped that with a morale-boosting 2-0 Primera Liga win over arch-rivals Barcelona on Sunday.

Real's sudden transformation has also seen Raul continue his steady return to form. He scored in Bucharest and again against Barca, taking his tally for the season to five in all competitions.

With Raul scoring goals again, Spain coach Luis Aragones will be under more pressure to recall him to the national squad, with Real's president leading the calls.

''We are trying to organise it for Spain's friendly against Denmark on March 24 to be played in the Bernabeu,'' Calderon said.

''If Raul isn't in the squad, though, we won't let them play there.'' REUTERS DH BD1745