Features
SÁB 11.07.2015
One of the last icons of Real Madrid CF ends his sporting career in the white squad after 725 official matches with the club of his dreams.
Iker Casillas says goodbye to the team after 16 seasons (1999-2015) in which he has conquered 18 titles and has formed part of a legend that will remain in the memories of all football fans for years to come. Now, after a life replete with successes, the captain of Real Madrid is leaving in search of new footballing adventures.
1. Debut en San Mames
At 29 and on the stage of his dreams like San Mames, 12th September 1999, Iker Casillas put on the gloves for Real Madrid for the first time, in an official match with the first squad. That night he began to forge his legend.
2. A youth full of success in the UEFA Champions League
In the season of his debut, Casillas had already touched heaven. As well as claiming his first Champions, he became the youngest goalkeeper to play and win a European final.
3. The emotion of the first Liga BBVA
The most costly title, with heart and sacrifice, Iker Casillas would put this trophy in his personal display case in the 2000/01 season. During its course, he kept a clean sheet on twelve occasions and barely let in 37 goals.
4. A lucky charm for the 'Novena'
The competence of Iker-Cesar Sanchez was the protagonist of the 2001/02 campaign and, in the end, as destiny would have it that both would dispute the Champions final facing Bayer Leverkusen. There are two protagonists that we remember from that 23rd of May: Zinedine Zidane and his lefty goal and Iker´s saves on the brink of the final whistle.
5. EUFA Super Cup champion
In the year 2002, Real Madrid wrote another chapter in its history, conquering the only trophy that it lacked in its trophy cabinet. They did it with Casillas as a key player and protagonist of the night when the Whites overcame Feyenoored Rotterdam by 3-1.
6. Record numbers (07/08)
The 2007/08 season was one of the most successful in his career. During its course, and thanks to the 32 goals that he saved in 36 matches of the Liga BBVA, the goalkeeper converted himself into the goalkeeper with the least goals in the championship. Numbers that would continue to define his reputation.
.@CasillasWorld ya es el jugador con más victorias de la historia en Liga BBVA http://t.co/ktlVqEWMe2 #SienteLaLiga pic.twitter.com/6hLMzNEeo6
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) May 24, 2015
7. Capitan Casillas
His total maturity arrived by way of the captain’s armband. In the 2010-11 season, with the exit of Raul Gonzalez, Casillas assumed leadership of the squad both in the dressing room and on the field.
8. A title that eluded him
La Copa del Rey was, for years, the thorn in the side for the club and this player. After failing in two finals against Real Zaragoza and RC Deportivo, in 2011 and facing FC Barcelona, Real Madrid changed history and again lifted the title that had eluded them for 18 years.
9. A 'Real' recognition
One of the most emotional moments of his career came with being awarded the Premio Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes. The captain 'the Whites' was recognised for his achievements along with his colleague and friend Xavi Hernandez in 2012.
Casillas y Xavi recibieron el Premio Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes http://t.co/2PmKdpN7 #realmadrid
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) October 26, 2012
10. And finally… the 'Decima'
Successes; the more you have to suffer, the sweeter they taste. And that was how it happened when they won their long-awaited 'Decima'. The goalkeeper was pivotal in the final against Atletico de Madrid where, after a great season and a 120 minutes of action in Lisbon, Real Madrid finally ended their 12-year wait for European glory.
© LALIGA - 2015