Iker Casillas: Twelve years playing for Real Madrid

Iker Casillas made his first team debut with Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao twelve years ago today. The goalkeeper joined the team’s academy on 1 July 1990 and reached the first team on 12 September 1999 despite being only 17 years old. It was the birth of a player loved and respected by fans and peers for his deeds both on and off the pitch.

Iker Casillas' debut with Real Madrid

The goalkeeper knew his first trip to Bilbao with the first team was special and he put shyness aside in order to focus on the game. The injury of Bodo Ilgner and the niggles Bizarri suffered from gave him the starting position and he used it well. Captain Fernando Hierro took it upon himself to serve goal kicks in order to relieve Iker from pressure. The goalkeeper conceded two goals, but his excellent performance prevented the local goal tally from being larger, allowing Real Madrid to take one point from San Mamés.

”That’s the greatest football memory I have”, says the keeper, “I went from laying the Second Division B playoffs with Real Madrid C to being at San Mames Stadium. You can imagine how different it was: from three journalists covering the match there were now 50; from playing in front of 500 people I was now playing in front of 50,000… It was a brutal change”.

Twelve years, 576 official appearances with Real Madrid, 124 caps later, Casillas is no longer scared by the spotlight. He has played 422 league games, which makes him the sixth footballer with the most appearances with Real Madrid, only six shy of Paco Gento.

Casillas gets a picture with the best Zamora's saves

Iker Casillas had a pleasant surprise before the work session on Sunday. Pilar Galdiano, widow of the legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora, handed the captain of Real Madrid, a painting signed by former player which portrays his characteristic saves. "I feel very proud. It is an honor to receive this box. The Zamora family can rest easy because I will maintain with love and will occupy a special place in my house. It is a pleasure and an honor. You are very considerate to me", said Casillas thankful during delivery.

Ricardo Zamora Martínez joined the Real Madrid in 1930 and was known as 'Divine'. The goalkeeper was one of the best Spanish players in history thanks to his good position covering the net, his great security and reflexes in all his actions and personality. Moreover, he was easily recognized by his dress, wearing dark clothing and a cap in every game. Daily Marca, in recognition of her figure, established the award that bears his name to the goalkeeping record of the season in the Spanish League.

"My husband was the best in the world and Casillas is now. To me there is no other keeper like him. You are my favorite and I give you this picture with all the enthusiasm in the world. I cannot imagine a better place to stay that your hands", said Pilar giving the picture to Casillas.

Iker Casillas with Pilar Galdiano

Squad: Iker Casillas (1)

Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas’ relationship with Real Madrid dates back to 1990, the same year he began working his way up through the ranks until finally earning a starting role with the First Team in the 1999/00 season.

Although Casillas was asked by Jupp Heynckes to travel with the First Team for a match against Rosenborg two seasons earlier, he continued playing for Real Madrid C until being promoted to Castilla the following season. His rapid ascent didn’t go unnoticed by the Spanish national team youth system, and in 1996 Iker won the Under-15 European Championship. Two years later he repeated as an Under-17 champion after saving a penalty kick, and in 1999 he returned from the Under-19 European Championship with another gold medal around his neck. The following year he was awarded the Bravo Trophy, which is presented to the best European footballer under the age of 21.

No one has challenged Casillas as the the starting keeper of the First Team since 1999/00, and he is one of the squad’s most experienced players and a team captain. The press hailed him as one of the “Heroes of Glasgow” after he stepped in for an injured Cesar in the second half of the 2002 Champions League Final against Bayer Leverkusen only to make three brilliant saves in the waning minutes of the match. A few days later he was called up by Spanish national team, and an untimely injury suffered by Cañizares days before the World Cup in Japan and Korea gave Iker the starting role between the posts. He has been the number one keeper for Real Madrid and Spain every since, leading his national team as its skipper to Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 glory.

Agile, quick, intelligent, and nearly unbeatable, Casillas is arguably the best active goalkeeper in the world.

Data

• Place of Birth: Mostoles, Spain
• Date of Birth: 20/05/1981
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Weight: 85.5 kg
• Height: 182.2 cm
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours

• La Liga: 2000/01, 2002/03, 2006/07, 2007/08
• Spanish Super Cup: 2001, 2003, 2008
• UEFA Champions League: 1999/00, 2001/02
• European Super Cup: 2002
• InterContinental Cup: 2002
• Under-15 European Championship: 1995
• Under-17 European Championship: 1997
• Under-19 European Championship: 1999
• European Championship: 2008
• Bronze Medal, Confederations Cup: 2009
• World Cup: 2010
• Copa del Rey: 2011
• Adidas Golden Glove: 2010
• IFFHS best Goalkeeper of the Year: 2008, 2009
• FIFA best Goalkeeper of the Year: 2009
• UEFA best Goalkeeper in Europe: 2008, 2009
• L'Equipe best Goalkeeper of the Year: 2009
• Bravo Trophy: 2000

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300,000 euros for Iker Casillas' shirt

Iker Casillas continues his triumphant journey through China. The goalkeeper is a national hero, the most followed, who is starting the news in the country, who goes on every cover. They want him to be a guest at official events. They consider Casillas the most friendly visit and taught him wherever he goes.

Yesterday, he attended a charity dinner in Beijing where they were auctioned off several pieces of goalkeeper and balls signed by him. The amazing thing about the auction was a person invited to the dinner who paid 300,000 euros by a lot of things formed by the Real Madrid goalkeeper's shirt, gloves and a ball. The captain was the most surprised when he saw the price reached his jersey. Had never happened him something like that.

Iker Casillas at the charity dinner

A lot of money that will go to the Next Generation Foundation, which is dedicated to raising money to promote the sport and improve early childhood education indisadvantaged areas of China. In addition to the millionaire batch, also were auctioned a Spanish jersey signed by the international Spanish world champions, a Jabulani ball, the Adidas official ball for the World Cup 2010, and another Casillas's jersey of the Spanish national team.

Besides the acts to which he attends every day, the captain of Real Madrid goes to sightseeing with his girlfriend Sara Carbonero and his agent Carlo Cutropia. This is his third trip to China, but had always been with the team and never had time to visit the most emblematic of the country. On Wednesday, he was seeing the Forbidden City and yesterday, first thing in the morning, wanted to move to the Great Wall of China.

Today, on his last day in China, is scheduled he visits a football school at the heart of Beijing and meets with one hundred children who would like to be goalkeepers. This is the main act of the week. Then, Casillas will fly to Madrid because the preseason begins.

League (Day 34): Casillas reactions

CASILLAS: "EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN FOOTBALL"

Casillas talking with the media

How does it feel to lose in this way?

It is an unexpected defeat that makes virtually say goodbye to what was a possible miracle in the League. We never gave up. We always believed we could win. Something unfortunate happened whenever we came close to drawing the match: there was a possible penalty on Kaka, Benzema hit the crossbar... They killed us with their third goal, but we kept trying. It just didn't happen for us.

Has affected the defeat against Barcelona?
It's possible that everything that's happened in the last few days was on our minds, but that's no excuse. Zaragoza gave a good performance and capitalised on our mistakes.

Have you gone to the field distracted?
No. Until my mistake there was no problems. We were playing more conservatively and had no clear chances. In the second part, we searched for the draw but there was another unfortunate with the penalty action.

What happened in your mistake of the first Zaragoza goal?
It was bad luck. I'm somewhat angry because the team didn't earn a better result due to a mistake I made, but we're all human and we all make mistakes.

How do you approach the game at the Camp Nou?
We will intend to win in Barcelona; we know we have the disadvantage, but everything is possible in football.

Casillas: Next challenge, the tenth Champions League

The hands of Casillas are envied. He has saved impossible balls in special days like Wednesday and has lifted all possible trophies for an elite player. His best habitats are the finals, more specifically those that are played at a match. Between club and national team, he has played 13 and won 10. Except the titles that are played over two legs (Spanish Super Cup) the statistics remains in eight disputed and only one defeat (the Intercontinental Cup against Boca Juniors, 2000).

Iker Casillas with the Spanish Cup trophy

In them, Casillas conceded just three goals; two of Martin Palermo in that final lost and one of Van Hooijdonk in the European Super Cup against Feyenoord, 2002. He has not received any goal at the World Cup final, nor at the European Championship, nor at the Intercontinental, nor at those of Champions League (Cesar received the goal against Leverkusen), nor at the Spanish Cup against Barcelona.

With a track record that includes the World Championship, the European Championship, Champions League (2), Intercontinental (2), European Super Cup, Spanish League (4), Spanish Cup and Spanish Super Cup (3), apart from other sub-titles such as Under-20 FIFA World Cup or best goalkeeper in the world by IFFHS, Iker Casillas, beyond UEFA Europe League that he has never played and a Golden Ball, "forbidden" for goalkeepers, now sets the challenge of a third Champions League.

"We have shown we can beat anyone, now we go for the Champions League", said Wednesday with the Spanish Cup trophy resting in his hand. Exceeded the Cup wall and Barcelona ( he had not won against Guardiola), he sets Wembley, a stadium that he has never stepped on, as the next line on his curriculum to match the biggest players in European football.

Won everything, there is always something more to win, the goalkeeper should consider, as contradictory as it may seem. And broken the barrier of the Cup, looking for the Champions League, nine years after the last, the tenth of Real Madrid. To do this, another challenge, a two-legged tie against the best Barcelona of all time.

Casillas: "We must fight as a team"

The captain of Real Madrid, Iker Casillas, was hopeful about the chances of his team in the final of the "Copa del Rey", where white team will face Barcelona on Wednesday and underlined the importance of the event: "It's a very important trophy that Real Madrid can not afford to be 17 years without getting", said Madrid goalkeeper.

Iker Casillas

In addition, Casillas said thet the Cup "Will be even more important if Real Madrid gets it". "For us it is something important, something vital that I have not win in the eleven years I've been here", Casillas said in an interview to the website of Real Madrid.

The goalkeeper said that it is "A final, the prettier match so far this season in Spanish football". "We know that behind us is going to be many people who love Real Madrid and they will endeavor to come to Valencia despite the high price of the tickets", said the Spaniard.

Also, Casillas admitted that in the Real Madrid dressing room are convinced that "it is time to lift many cups, but we know it is not easy". The first opportunity will come this Wednesday with "a vibrant and exciting game between the two best teams in Spain in which anything can happen".

About, how Real Madrid must play the game against Barcelona, he said the most important thing is concentration: "On Wednesday we should be kept at a high level, stay focused from beginning to end. We must play a serious game and be focused on each action. We must fight as a team. Nobody is going to give away the trophy", said.

Also showed his intention that, despite the rivalry between both clubs, should have fair play in the final: "I hope that there will be no problems and just talk about football". Thus, claimed "a fair play match where no one causes the other to get out of the game". "On behalf of Real Madrid and Real Madrid fans will not be any problem. In the field we have demonstrated that we are gentlemen and we respect our opponent. At no time we make fuss and try to expel a partner to take advantage", said the Spanish international.

Finally, he wanted to emphasize the figure of Jose Mourinho: "A winning person who from the first time, gave importance to the Cup. The coach has instilled in us that every game is important". "He has put us this on the head and we learned to play in difficult days against Murcia, Levante, Atletico and Sevilla. He has instilled us his desire to reach this final and to win", concluded .

Interview: Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas was again displayed, as a great captain, reviewing all topics of national team and Real Madrid. About the tributes that is receiving the members of the Spanish national team, the goalkeeper said: "If Iniesta had not score the goal in that World Cup final, this would not be happening. We have been champions and all that comes is great".

Although Spain has not offered its best performance in recent games, the ambition has not been lost: "After the World Cup it was hard to start and so the negative results we have picked. But we are living the golden age of Spanish football and is the desire to win the next European Championship, something that has never succeeded".

Iker Casillas

The strike that threatens to Spanish football is a black spot: "At the end there will be dialogue and it will be solved. We know that football has become a business but the views should be approached for the benefit of all". If there's League match against Sporting, it could be played on Friday, April 1: "We have to take into account the fans and I guess Sporting fans will prefer to play on Saturday because they have already planned the trip".

Mourinho is very critical to the development of the schedule and timetables of League: "I do not believe in conspiracies but it is true that there are dates that are a bit illogical. But it is mounted in this way". Mourinho's arrival has changed many things in Madrid: "Before I meet him, he looks weird, but now I'm 24 hours a day with him and I can say is an outstanding person and as coach you only have to see his data. I will stick up for him".

Iker Casillas and Mourinho

A crazy month of April is arriving, with four possible "classics" against a sweeping Barcelona: "It is true that we live a painful 2-6 at the Bernabeu, but that was also marked by the sporting trouble that Real Madrid was living. But we must not forget that Barcelona also went wrong in the first five years of this decade".

Real Madrid continues alive in three competitions: "The season is being good for us and if we win a title, it will be perfect". Tottenham is waiting in the quarterfinals of the Champions League: "I do not trust. Spurs have eliminated Milan and can also give us a scare. We have overcome the psychological barrier of last-16 and it has made us stronger". Spanish Cup final is approaching: "To win this competition has a special flavor. It is a beautiful moment, with both dedicated fan crows. And this time are cited the two biggest teams in Spain. It is the best final".

About the affair of doping, he was blunt: "It bothers me that Real Madrid was acknowledged on a subject as distasteful. I think that in a team-sport like football, players do not need this kind of substances".

League (Day 29): Cristiano and Casillas reactions

CRISTIANO RONALDO: " IT WAS A DIFFICULT MATCH FOR ME"

"The team played very well in a complicated match, especially in the second half, during which we felt exhaustion. I was very nervous while watching the game from the bench when the score was 2-1 because I'm not used to following a game from there."

"I'm not 100% fit and it was a difficult game for me. Those who know me could tell I wasn't myself during the match, especially in the second half. I think I've got an injury of some sort. We'll see what shows up in the scan."

Cristiano Ronaldo visited today the clinic "Sanitas La Moraleja" where has undergone an MRI to check the status of his left hamstring, the muscle that is giving him problems in recent days.

Ronaldo ended the derby with pain and swelling in the affected area as the club announced in a medical report published on its website. The player's physical condition makes him doubtful for the call to Portugal, like Carvalho, although in principle they will travel with the medical report.

IKER CASILLAS: "WE WILL LOST AGAINST ATLETICO SOME DAY"

"We'll lose against Atletico some day, but I hope it arrives as late as possible. Atletico pressurised much more and had more chances on goal. The final score may be unfair."

"Goalkeepers are there to make saves. I managed to pull off most of them due more to positioning than to concentration. They weren't very spectacular. Atletico didn't capitalise on their chances and we did. We are good at scoring goals and used this to our advantage. Benzema has changed radically and we are all delighted about it because he is a phenomenal person. I hope he keeps it up for a long time."

"The team feels slightly tired after playing so many important games. We've earned numbers worthy of a champion side. We're solid and firm. We have to keep this up. Complicated away games against Sevilla, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao wait in store for us. Tonight we won and took three points. We must now think about our match against Sporting Gijon."

Real Madrid Girlfriends: Sara Carbonero (1)

Sara Carbonero Arevalo was born on February 3, 1984 in a village, in the province of Toledo, called "Corral de Almaguer". Known as Sara Carbonero, is a Spanish sports journalist. She is an editor of sports area in the televisión channel "Telecinco" and host of Italian television channel specializing in football "Premium Calcio".

Sara Carbonero

When she was studying 3rd curse of Journalism Degree at the "Universidad Complutense de Madrid", became as intern at "Radio Marca" and six months later he was hired. She partially abandoned her university studies. She covered for the radio station all kinds of sporting events, as well as working in other programs and presenting the morning musical program "SuperMarca". After a brief stint in the "Cadena SER Radio", was signed in May 2007 by "laSexta TV", television channel in which she took over the sports news on news programs. She followed the Spanish national team in the Eurobasket 2007 and was part of "Minuto y Resultado", a live results program. In addition, she led the sports program of risk and adventure, "6º Nivel".

In April 2009, she joined "Telecinco TV" as editor and sports presenter. Her first job was covering the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa as reporter. Subsequently, she was named sports presenter of the first edition of "Telecinco News". This year she was elected in July 2009 by the American edition of FHM magazine as the sexiest sports reporter in the world.

During the celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2010 where she worked as reporter for "Telecinco", she was the subject of worldwide media attention when was suggested, from the cover of British newspaper "The Times", a link between the defeat of the Spanish national football team in the first game of the championship and her relationship with the player Iker Casillas, goalkeeper of the team during this match.

After the World Cup, in the month of July, it was announced that the journalist would work during the 2010/11 season with the Italian platform "Mediaset Premium", taking charge of the information of the Spanish League and especially about the path of Jose Mourinho coaching Real Madrid.

League (Day 25): Players reactions

CASILLAS: "WE WERE SIMPLY UNLUCKY"

Iker Casillas

"We were simply unlucky. This is a setback because we weren't able to win. We tried hard and had our chances, especially in the second half. We also hit the post, but the ball didn't want to go int. That's football for you. We controlled the match, but if the ball doesn't go in, there is nothing we can do."

"Two matches later we find ourselves in the same situation. We must continue playing hard. There is no other option. Now me must focus on Malaga and not pay attention to what our rivals are doing. We don't control our own destiny, but we must win all our matches if we are to stand a chance of winning La Liga."

"This team has always fought and it will continue to do so until the end."

RAMOS: "THERE IS NO REASON TO BE UPSET WITH THE TEAM"

"There is no reason to be upset with the team. We went out their to win from the very start. We dominated the match in such a way that we deserved to win, but we were unable to score. We capitalized on the open space we had in the second half and we were more mobile, but we didn't score. It leaves a bad taste in our mouths after such an effort. La Liga is not lost; there are still a lot of matches left."

XABI ALONSO: "WE NEED TO WIN A LOT OF MATCHES"

"It's a shame. We had our chances, but the ball didn't want to go in. They are two valuable points that we are leaving here. We tried it every which way. You cannot lay blame on the team because we fought until the final whistle. Winning La Liga won't be easy, but a lot can change in football and we will not give up. We need to win a lot of matches."

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Cup Semifinals (2nd Leg): Casillas and Adebayor reactions

IKER CASILLAS: "WE HAVE A DEBT. THE SPANISH CUP"

Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas has recognized the special joy of reaching the Cup final because RealMadrid has made a historic debt to the competition: "Real Madrid cannot afford to be 17 years without winning the Spanish Cup. We now it's going to be tough but we're there".

The goalkeeper recognizes that the month of January has been tough but does not believe the team is feeling the fatigue: "Has been a month complicated but I hope that when we play the Cup final we also stay alive in other competitions. We had a road more difficult, with Atletico and Sevilla, the two teams that played the last final. In League we've had tough games both in and outside the Bernabeu. But we have good numbers and we are in the final of Spanish Cup. The punishment was not to get the three points of Pamplona which were fundamental".

Real Madrid captain has also insisted that the team does not throw the league despite the seven-point gap separating them from Barcelona: "We do not give up because we have been educated in this way by those who have worn this shirt. Seven points are a good head for Barcelona but not definitive. Now we are going to fight in League and Champions. The next target is the Real Sociedad, three points on Sunday".


EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR: "IT WAS A SPECIAL MATCH FOR ME"

Emmanuel Adebayor

"It was a very special match for me. It's a dream come true to play in the team of my dreams with all our fans at the Santiago Bernabeu. Also I was able to score a goal. I am very happy".

"I am here to play all that I am supposed to play. I will try to play the best I can, whether it's 15 or 20 minutes. I get to play with great footballers like Ronaldo, Kaka, Ozil, Khedira... I think Benzema played great. He had several chances. He didn't score, but that's football. He is a great player and he will score many goals to get the team targets".

"There are two competitions very important to us. There is still a lot of time before the final, so we must now focus on the League and the European Cup. We will be facing Barcelona, one of the best teams in the world. It will be a tough final, but we will have our chances".

League (Day 21): Casillas reactions

The captain and Real Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, admitted that after the defeat against Osasuna (1-0) in the "Reyno de Navarra" which makes the whites seven points behind Barcelona, is a "setback" but remains confident his peers.

Iker Casillas 

"It's an important difference, but salvageable. It is clear that we have taken a step backwards, but that does not mean all is lost. We will keep working, trying to get the games ahead, and waiting for a lost of Barcelona that allows us to approach" said the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

So, after the defeat he thinks in the comeback plan: "We will keep working and trying to win games so that the difference in the standings with Barcelona was reduced" said the Real Madrid captain.

Regarding the game against Osasuna, Iker Casillas explained how he saw the match: "We have come to the rival goal frequently and had several clear chances. But sometimes the ball does not want to go in and whatever you do, does not do it".

Cup Semifinals (1st Leg): Iker Casillas reactions

The match ended in the Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium with a bottle throw to Iker Casillas who was shot after a bottle brushed his head before. The goalkeeper of Real Madrid ended up lying on the pitch, but eventually recovered.

A ball boy took the bottle and ran to hide, with the complaints of the components of the bench at Real Madrid. Goalkeeper said after the match: "A vandal who is always here threw me a bottle. I think this does not detract from a splendid crowd which comes always to help Sevilla as much as possible. He was a stupid who can create a problem to the good fans" said Casillas.

"I'm not saying anything, but if the TV cameras have captured it, will be taken legal actions" said the Real Madrid player who received two shots. The first did not hit him, but the second fell on his head.

About the match, Casillas preferred to appear cautious despite victory: "The tie is not decided. It is an optimal result because we have not conceded a goal and scored one. We should not relax because Sevilla is very good and has important players" he added.

Finally, the Real Madrid captain referred to the 'ghost goal' by Luis Fabiano which was not granted by the referee at the end of the first part: "The ball almost enters, but not entered. If it has not entered, it is clear" Casillas concluded.