Iker Casillas (Part 1)

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21 Mar 2024

Iker Casillas (Part 1)

Iker Casillas Fernandez, born on May 20, 1981, is a retired Spanish professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skills as a goalkeeper and currently active as a football commentator. Widely known as San Iker for his remarkable saves, Casillas is hailed as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of football. His athleticism, lightning-quick reactions, and unparalleled ability to stop shots are legendary. Casillas spent the majority of his illustrious career at Real Madrid, where he amassed over 1000 professional matches, a rare feat in football. He holds the record for the most clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League, as well as for the Spain national team. Presently, he lends his expertise to RTVE, Movistar Plus+, and Azteca Deportes as a commentator.

Beginning his journey with the Real Madrid youth team, Casillas swiftly ascended to the main squad in 1999. At a mere 19 years and four days old, he became the youngest goalkeeper to play in and win the Champions League final. Over the years, Casillas established himself as Real Madrid's first-choice goalkeeper, clinching numerous titles including La Liga and Champions League trophies. His tenure at Madrid was illustrious, culminating in victories across all major club competitions. In 2015, after 25 remarkable years, Casillas joined FC Porto, where he continued to shine, setting records in the Champions League and winning domestic titles.

Casillas's international career is equally illustrious, earning 167 caps for the Spain national team. He played a pivotal role in Spain's victories at the UEFA Euro 2008, FIFA World Cup 2010, and UEFA Euro 2012, showcasing his exceptional talents on the world stage. Casillas's accolades include being named the best goalkeeper of the 2010 World Cup and numerous selections in UEFA and FIFA's prestigious teams of the year.
Recognized for his outstanding contributions to the sport, Casillas has received numerous awards and honors, including top rankings in the Ballon d'Or and being named the best goalkeeper by various organizations multiple times. His legacy as one of football's all-time greats is cemented by his remarkable achievements on both club and international levels, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Casillas initiated his football journey within Real Madrid's esteemed youth system, La Fabrica, during the 1990–91 season. His ascent to prominence within the club's ranks was swift. At the tender age of 16, while still a junior player, he earned his first call-up to the senior team squad for a UEFA Champions League encounter against Rosenborg on November 27, 1997. Although he remained on the bench for the match, it marked the beginning of his exposure to elite-level football.
Following a season with the C-team, during which they secured victory in their regional group, Casillas emerged as a viable contender for the role of the club primary goalkeeper. His breakthrough arrived during the 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League group stage fixture against Olympiakos on September 15, 1999.

By starting in this match, he etched his name in history as the youngest goalkeeper ever to grace the competition at that time, aged merely 18 years and 177 days. This remarkable feat stood as a testament to his exceptional talent and potential. Just three days prior, Casillas made his debut in La Liga, showcasing his skills in a 2–2 draw against Athletic Bilbao at the revered San Mames Stadium.
Casillas etched his name in football lore once again by becoming the youngest goalkeeper to participate in and triumph in a Champions League final. Real Madrid resounding 3–0 victory over Valencia marked a historic moment, occurring a mere four days after Casillas celebrated his 19th birthday. These early milestones underscored Casillas's prodigious talent and foreshadowed the illustrious career that lay ahead for the young goalkeeper.

Casillas encountered a challenging period during the 2001–02 campaign, leading to him losing his starting position to backup goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez due to underwhelming performances. However, fate intervened in the most dramatic fashion during the 2002 Champions League Final. With Sánchez sidelined due to injury in the final minutes of the match, Casillas was called upon to step into the fray. Displaying nerves of steel, he made a series of crucial saves that thwarted Bayer Leverkusen's relentless attacks, ultimately securing a 2–1 victory for Real Madrid and clinching the Champions League crown.
The 2007–08 season marked a resurgence for Casillas, characterized by significant achievements.

He played an instrumental role in Real Madrid's triumphant La Liga campaign, conceding a mere 32 goals in 36 matches and claiming the prestigious Zamora Trophy. Moreover, Casillas, along with club captain Raúl, was bestowed with lifelong contracts on February 14, 2008. His contract extension bound him to the club until 2017, with provisions for an automatic extension and a staggering buy-out clause of 113 million. Such stellar performances earned him a place in the UEFA Team of the Year for the second time.
Casillas reached a milestone by equaling Paco Buyo's record of 454 appearances for a goalkeeper, subsequently surpassing it to become Real Madrid's most-capped goalkeeper at the youthful age of 27. Amid swirling transfer rumors during the 2009 summer window, including a purported record bid from Manchester City, Casillas reiterated his commitment to his beloved club, stating his unequivocal intention to remain at Real Madrid.

His exceptional reflexes and remarkable saves, exemplified by a memorable stop against Sevilla's Diego Perotti, earned him accolades from peers and pundits alike, with legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks acknowledging Casillas's potential to etch his name among the greatest goalkeepers in history. Furthermore, Casillas's immense popularity was reflected in his ranking as the second-most popular Spanish sports figure on the internet in 2010, a testament to his widespread acclaim and influence.

Following the departures of Real Madrid's first and second captains, Raúl and Guti, respectively, Casillas was appointed as the team's first captain. Assisting him in his leadership role were newly appointed vice-captains Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, and Gonzalo Higuaín.
The subsequent 2011–12 season proved to be another milestone-filled campaign for Casillas. He was honored with the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper award, becoming only the second goalkeeper, after Gianluigi Buffon, to win it four times and the sole goalkeeper to achieve this feat consecutively.

Casillas reached a significant personal milestone by playing his 600th match for Real Madrid on January 22, 2012, in a commanding 4–1 victory against Athletic Bilbao. Furthermore, on May 2, 2012, Casillas led Real Madrid to their fifth La Liga title and secured his first as the captain of the team, with a convincing 3–0 triumph in Bilbao.
However, tensions began to simmer between Casillas and then-manager José Mourinho, culminating in a pivotal moment on December 22, 2012. Mourinho controversially dropped Casillas from the starting lineup for a Liga match against Málaga in favor of Antonio Adán.

This decision marked the onset of a strained relationship between the Portuguese coach and the Spanish goalkeeper, exacerbated by alleged leaks to the press, purportedly from Casillas himself, regarding internal matters within the club.
Despite the tumultuous period, Casillas continued to assert his dominance on the field. In the 2012–13 season, he clinched the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper Award for an unprecedented fifth consecutive time, solidifying his status as the greatest goalkeeper of his era and the only player in history to achieve such a remarkable feat.