Real Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez admitted on Monday that it could be impossible for his side to catch Primera Liga leaders FC Barcelona.

Raul celebrated his 500th appearance for Real Madrid in the Primera Liga on Sunday with the second goal in their 3-0 win in Mallorca.

That triumph lifted Real Madrid up to second place in the Primera Liga table as Barcelona kicked off their game away to Osasuna with a nine point lead over their main rivals.

For a short while, it looked as if Barcelona were going to drop points as Osasuna took a 72nd minute lead in the game.

However, goals from Xavi Hernandez and Leo Messi turned the game around to give Barcelona a thrilling 3-2 win that leaves them12 points clear at the top of the Primera Liga. It was the club's eighth consecutive win away from home, a new record.

Perhaps that disappointment caused Raul to hint that the race for the title is already lost.

"There is a lot of league left to be played, but if they keep on at the level that have been playing at up to now, they are going to be impossible to catch," he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

Raul also praised the work of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who he played alongside in the Spanish national team.

"The work of the Barcelona coach is very important. He has got a good squad, good players and he is imposing his values of good football on Barcelona."

"That means that everyone is happy and everyone likes the football they are playing," said the Real Madrid captain.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2009)