El Gato - San Iker Casillas

halamadrid2 wrote:tbh I don't see there being any noise this time tbh. It was a problem last year because Mou felt it was ok to talk about locker room stuff in public which divided people on Diego vs Iker

lets be real here Iker has been the best keeper for seasons upon seasons, him getting his spot back is long overdue

Real Madrid star Iker Casillas insists he is not thinking about leaving the club and will not think about his future until his contract ends.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who has been linked with a summer move, is currently contracted to Real until 2017 and there is a clause which will see that extended by a further year if he plays 30 games or more in the final season of that deal.

Casillas is firmly of the belief that he can play until he is 40, and he admits he would love that to be with Real.

Casillas, who is a product of Real's own academy, has played over 600 games for the club since making his debut in 1999 and is also Spain's most capped player with over 150 appearances.

"I'm thinking more and more about what I'll do when I quit playing. I'd like to stay involved in football and help the club, if the circumstances allow it," he told Melodia FM,

"I can play on until I'm 40. If you look after yourself as a goalkeeper, you can carry on until that age.

"I'd love to be able to keep playing for Real Madrid until I'm 40, but a time will come when that's not possible. I'll consider my future at Real when my contract expires."

Casillas, who has won La Liga five times with Real and the Champions League twice, insists that silverware is still the thing that drives him.

"I'd like to keep winning trophies," he said.

"It's amazing to have the chance to win silverware and then go out and enjoy it with the fans on the street. It's a privilege".

Despite his success, Casillas concedes that he has had some good luck to get where he is.

"I think luck is like a story we sometimes hide behind. I remember things didn't go so well when I made my debut against Athletic, so I went back down to the B-team, but then Illgner got injured and I was promoted to the first team again," he said.

"Something similar happened in the World Cup in Japan and Korea. There are things that you think will never happen, but then they do. You never want anything bad to happen to a team-mate, but I seized my chance".

Real Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas recently discussed how when Vicente Del Bosque left Real Madrid a piece of the club left with him and doesn’t understand why the current Spanish national team coach was forced out in the first place.

In the prologue for the new book titled, “Vicente, an authorised biography”, Casillas spoke about his feelings when Del Bosque left the club in 2003 and what he’s learned from one of the best managers in the world of football.

“[In 2003] we had a great team and everything was going well. With the group we had you could argue that anyone could have managed us, but in four years we won two Champions League titles, La Liga and one Intercontinental…One night, I was one my way to Alicante, when I learned that Del Bosque had left the club. We were aware there was something. The celebration of winning La Liga was the worst I can remember. His departure from Real Madrid hurt, it was like losing a part of the club.”

Casillas went on to add that Del Bosque taught him lessons he’ll never forget, like humility, when he dropped him as a starter in favour of Cesar.

“He helped me, but also made me see the reality of football, the sport and life. He gave me confidence and then, later, a long while on the bench. At first I was annoyed because no player understands why he’s dropped from the starting XI. After several weeks, I finally understood and when I got the opportunity I showed he could confide in me, like the final in Glasgow.”

Casillas was finally reunited with Del Bosque with the Spanish national team.

“He taught me to how live with winning and to respect your friends as much as someone wants to make your believe that they are your worst of enemies. He’s maintained the calm in the difficult moments as well moments of joy after winning the Cup. He’s helped the footballers and the fans.”

Nedved wrote:I heard there were boos today as well for Casillas. Guy deserves more respect - no matter his current form - He has been there for them for 15 yrs and won everything. This is the part I hate most about Madrid - lack of respect.

Zealous wrote:Of course he would say that he isn't the mole lmao

In any case I don't think anyone can doubt Iker's commitment to Real Madrid. Having said that him saying that he doesn't need to go to the gym doesn't fill me with confidence lol