Casillas retires
Having spent the last 18 months on the sidelines, coaching and advising younger players, Iker Casillas, now aged 39, has officially retired from football.
Born in Móstoles, Madrid in May 1981, and popularly dubbed ‘Saint Iker’ for his ability to produce spectacular saves, he is widely regarded as being the greatest Spanish goalkeeper of all time, and by some, as one of the greatest ‘keepers world-wide. Known for his athleticism, quick reactions and outstanding shot-stopping ability, he spent the majority of his career at Real Madrid and is one of only a handful of players to make over 1,000 senior appearances. He also holds the record for the most clean-sheets in the Champions League, as well as for the Spanish national team.
Casillas, who started his Real Madrid career as a youngster in 1990, made his LaLiga debut in 1997. He was a regular in the first team in 1999 and quickly became the youngest ‘keeper to play in a Champions League final, and to win the title, aged 19 years and four days.
During his highly successful career at the Bernabeau, Casillas gained 18 winner’s medals at club level (five LaLiga, four Supercopa de España, two Copa del Rey, three Champions League, two UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup). He also won the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.
During his 25 years with Real Madrid, Casillas made 725 first-class appearances and won a then record 167 international caps (since bettered by his former Real team-mate Sergio Ramos). He then had a further 181 games for FC Porto whom he joined on a free transfer in 2015, winning the domestic League title twice while in Portugal.
He played his last game in February 2019, having earlier suffered a heart attack. Casillas was selected in the FIFA Pro World XI five times, a record for a goalkeeper, and was named as the world's best goalkeeper, also a record five times, alongside Gianluigi Buffon.