"This is one of the hardest days of my life" – Casillas

Iker Casillas bid his boyhood club, Real Madrid, goodbye today in an emotion-laden press conference. The Spaniard who spent 25years at the club, making 725 appearances and winning 17 major honours read a prepared statement to pressmen amid tears and incessant pauses. Casillas was not accompanied by any club official as he went through the conference alone.
In his statement, he thanked the fans, club and his family while also reflecting on his Odyssey with the club.

“First of all, thanks to everyone for coming here and for supporting me at this special time. I have come to this great stadium to say goodbye to everyone, and especially to all the Madridistas. Since yesterday I am no longer a Real Madrid player and I will now go to FC Porto. My decision to go to FC Porto was based on two factors — the enthusiasm that their club president, coach — who I know well — and the staff have transmitted to me.

“Secondly, the affection that I have received when people found out that my destination would be Portugal. I will do all I can not to let them down and I will try to win as many titles as possible with them. Thank you, FC Porto, for trusting me. After 25 years defending the emblem of the biggest club in the world, this is one of the hardest days of my life,” he said. “It feels like it was only yesterday when at the age of nine I wore for the first time Real’s jersey and my dream came true.
“During this time we have enjoyed ourselves, shed tears, happiness, laughter, I have felt loved. This club has not only taught me to be a sportsmen but also taught me human values, being, those of respect, camaraderie and humility.

“I have always tried to show all of them wherever I went. I want to acknowledge all of my former and current teammates — I leave a lot of friends behind me and I know that I will be always be able to count on them. I want to thank all of my coaches throughout my career, all of them. I have learned a lot from all of them. All my love to my family, who made sacrifices for me to pursue this hard but rewarding career,” Casillas said. “Also to my wife and my child, because they will always be there next to me.”

Schweinsteiger off to United, Casillas says goodbye and other transfer news

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sing Bayern Munich’s midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger. The hugely-experienced 30yr old reportedly told Bayern he does not want to extend his contract and sought to face new challenge in a new league. Schweinsteiger made his debut for Bayern in 2002 and went on to make 536appearances with major titles like The Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Pokal to his name.

Iker Casillas will be saying goodbye to his boyhood club, Real Madrid, after 25 years as Porto have agreed a deal to sign the goalie. Casillas who has been in the middle of several controversy since he was dropped from the first team by Mourinho in 2012 joined Real Youth Academy in 1990, made his debut in 1999 and won 17 major honors with the club.

World Cup winner and two-time FIFA player of the year, Ronaldinho has signed with Brazilian side, Fluminense.  The player confirmed the move on his Twitter page.  He will be earning 600,000reals ($190,000) plus bonus from Jersey sales and other club products.  Ronaldinho ascribed the rational behind the move to his quest to win the Brazilian league.

Former Manchester city striker, John Guidetti has joined Celta Vigo on a fiver year deal for free. 
The Swedish striker who spent last season on loan at Celtic making 35appearances and scoring 15goals is expected to blossom at the Spanish club.

Manchester United have completed the signing of Italian defender, Matteo Darmian from Torino. 
The 25year old passed his medical and was awarded a four year contract which cost £12.9Million.
He becomes United’s second signing after the arrival of Memphis Dephay from PSV.

"One day you are very good, the next day you are bad". Cesc Fabregas defends Casillas.

Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas haps jumped to the defence of his countryman, Iker Casillas who was heavily criticised by fans after Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu last weekend.
The 33 year-old ex Arsenal player a midfielder believes the Los Blancos skipper has been unfairly treated by the public despite his years of service to the club.

The Premier League winning footballer told Cadena COPE “I didn’t see what happened and I only know what I’ve been told. I’ve defended Iker many times and deservedly so because I’m really sorry about it. If I have to I’ll do it again without any problem.

“He is a great captain, a great person, a great footballer and a
great friend. There isn’t much else to say because you only have to look at what he has done for the national team and Real Madrid.”

He added. “You must try and stay strong, concentrate on football and do the best you can. If you analyse it then at times it can be your fault, although sometimes there are other circumstances.

“I think if you’re at your best then you won’t get whistled at, while at other times maybe you are not at your best or the team has lost. My case is different from Iker’s because he has won the public over a million times.

“Things can change overnight in football and you can play in the
Champions League final, save a penalty and become God again.
“One day you are very good, the next day you are very bad, but
in the end it’s you who needs to know who you are and how it
is,” he noted.‎

Zinedine Zidane unveils his current world XI

No Rooney, not even Chelsea sensation, Eden Hazard has made ex France international, Zinedine Zidane’s current world XI list. The only premier league player found on his fantasy team list is Manchester City’s Yaya Toure. Well, his choices.

It shouldn’t shock you that most of the players on the list are from Real Madrid. On the list. include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Yaya Toure, Iker Casillas Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema,  Dani Alves Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
His seven first choice substitutes:  Manuel Neuer, Phillip Lahm, Raphael Varane, Andres Iniesta, Paul Pogba, Franck Ribery and Sergio Aguero.‎

Iker Casillas, Claudio Bravo Thibaut Courtois, others  shortlisted for FIFA FIFPro World XI 2014 Award.

Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas, ‎Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo and two other goalies have been nominated for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2014 award.
FIFPro, the World Players’ Union, and FIFA today announced the five goalkeepers shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2014 (see list below) as part of the final 55-man shortlist to be revealed on 1 December 2014,” FIFA announced. 
The winner will be announced on January 12, 2015 at the 2014 Ballon d’Or Awards in Zurich.
Nominees
(1) Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern München)
(2) Claudio Bravo (Chile/FC Barcelona)
(3) Thibaut Courtois (Belgium/Chelsea FC)
(4) Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid CF)
(5) Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus FC)

'I was called a traitor and a mole' – Iker Casillas opens up on stormy relationship with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid


Looks like Jose Mourinho had a turbulent relationship with all the players at Real Madrid. The spanish club’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas has also opened up on his whirlwind relationship with the Chelsea Manager. According to the Spaniard, the problem started at a certain Christmas period and it became worse after Casillas’ wife, Sara Carbonero a TV presenter reported a dressing room unrest on air.



“In the summer of 2012, our relationship was good, we talked a lot, but then there was a change around Christmas. The team wasn’t doing well and my relationship with Mourinho became poor. We had disagreements, but with respect.”



“Mourinho didn’t say anything to me about Sara’s words, but it was easy to notice a change in our relationship. Soon, I got injured and after two weeks, I noticed the attacks. I was called a traitor and a mole.



“I feel it was a bit unfair to call me a mole but I have to understand that and accept some people’s opinions.

It was hard to be called a mole and I like to think that neither Mourinho nor the president Florentino Perez really believed this.”



He continued, “I have the utmost respect for Mourinho but when there is one thing bothering you or one thing you don’t like, you have to discuss it. We never told Florentino that we wanted Mourinho to leave.



“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve had. A guy with character. It hurts me when my loyalty to Real Madrid is questioned – this club have given me everything.” 

IKER CASILLAS, VICTOR VALDES, PETR CECH, OTHERS NOMINATED FOR FIFA BALLON D'OR GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas, Barcelona’s Victor Valdes, Chelsea’s Petr Cech have made FIFA Ballon d’Or’s 5-man shortlist for the best goalkeeper for the year 2013. Petr Cech is the only English Premier League goalkeeper nominated for the award. The announcement was made yesterday Dec 3, 2013.
Voting for the World XI team will be done via a secret ballot by the 50,000
members of FIFPro. The winner will be announced on January 13, 2013 at the Ballon d’Or gala. Meanwhile the shortlists for the defenders, midfielders and
strikers will be announced today, 6th and 9th of December.
 
 
 
 
 
NOMINEES
(1) Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus)
(2) Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid FC) (3) Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea
FC)
(4) Manuel Neuer (Germany, FC Bayern München)
(5) Víctor Valdes (Spain, FC Barcelona).

NEYMAR'S WISH FOR CONFEDERATIONS CUP FINAL

You ask, what other thing can he wish for asides victory for his club. You're right but he wants the victory to be delivered through him. The Brazilian footballer has a great admiration for Spanish goal-keeper, Iker Casillas and he would be honoured if he scores against him in the Confederations Cup final.

"Casillas is one of the greatest keepers in the world – now and always. I have huge respect and admiration for him. Everyone would love to have him in their side, but on Sunday I hope to have the honour of scoring against him". He revealed.

The 2011/2012 South American Footballer of the Year award recipient continued, "It's going to be a great game. Everyone is really looking forward to it. It's a clash between two historic national sides, two teams with a lot of tradition. Spain with their star players and Brazil, with their stars. I hope that it's a match which everyone enjoys and that Brazil end as the winners.

The ex-Santos forward who scored about 3 goals in the ongoing tournament and provided the two assists, that gave Brazil a 2-1 win over Uruguay in the semi-final has joined reigning laLiga Champions, Barcelona.

Relax Neymar, if you don't toss the net in this tournament, you can do it in LaLiga.

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