Captain Casillas bids tearful farewell to Real amid controversy over exit
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The dream, or perhaps, the nightmare is over Iker Casillas.
Beyond remembering me as a good goalkeeper, or a bad goalkeeper, I only hope people remember me as a good person, with my faults.
The Real Madrid captain and goalkeeper has bid an emotional farewell to the club he has served for 16 seasons, winning 17 major trophies.
It comes amid claims from his parents that he’s been forced out by president Florentino Perez.
But Casillas, 34, made no reference to the allegations when he faced the press alone.
“This club moulded me as a person and helped me to grow,” said Casillas, who joined the Real academy at the age of nine and debuted for the first team at 18.
“Beyond remembering me as a good goalkeeper, or a bad goalkeeper, I only hope people remember me as a good person, with my faults. So thank you, thank you, a thousand thank yous. I will never forget you, you can be sure, and wherever I go I will continue to shout ‘Hala Madrid’ (Hail Madrid). It’s over.” he added.
During his time in the Spanish capital he won three European Cups, five Liga titles, two European Championships and two World Cups.
Casillas also holds the record for Spanish caps (162) and is second behind legendary striker Raul in appearances for Los Blancos.
Casillas is joining Portuguese side Porto, a move widely believed to have been prompted by the expected arrival of Manchester United’s David De Gea, who’s also being groomed to take over as Spain keeper.
Real Madrid posted this message on its website.