Gracias Iker!

Iker Casillas, one of the best goalkeepers of all time, the best goal keeper to have ever played for Spain and Real Madrid, an icon of the Beautiful Game, Spain and Real Madrid, undoubtedly the best captain La Roja has ever had and a gentleman on and off the field. A footballer who hardly has haters, the only former Real Madrid player (of this decade) who's not hated and respected even by Barcelona fans, is leaving Real Madrid after playing for them for 25 years. Iker will now play for FC Porto, he has signed 2 years contract with an option to extend for an year

His father used to take to play football with him and Iker used to be the goalkeeper, that's where it all began. Joining the club he loved at very tender age of 9 when his dad took him for trial, he ended up joining the club's under-10s called La Fabrica in the 1990-91 season. Iker had the habit of winning trophies from a young age, making name for himself. Iker climbed every rung of the ladder, rising through the ranks of the club. Then came the opportunity which Iker always dreamed about, he got the First Senior Call-up, just at the age of 16, when he was playing for Juvenil A, the under-19s. On 27th November, Iker's school headmaster took him out of the class to tell him that Madrid coach, Jupp Heynckes was naming him in his squad for champions League match against Rosenborg. He became the youngest goalkeeper to play in Champions league history in 2000 when he started against Valancia. He became the hero on the biggest stage of club football in Champions League final in Glasgow against rampant Bayer Leverkusen when the goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez got injured in 63rd minute. Casillas came on pulled some vital saves and saw Real Madrid to their 9th Champions League trophy. From then on, there was no turning back, Iker became a starter in the first team. He has won every trophy that could be won with a club and country. Nobody could forget his save when he was one-on-one with Arjen Robben in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

He has won a World Cup, 2 Euro Cup, 3 Champions League, 5 La Liga, FIFA Club World Cup, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 UEFA Supercup, 4 Supercopa de Espana, 2 Intercontinental Cups. He also won lot of individual trophies, he grabbed Bravo Award in 2000 for best European player under 21 and Liga breakthrough player of the year. He won best La Liga goalkeeper 2 times, Best European Goalkeeper in 2010, Zamora Trophy in 2007-08, FIFA Golden Glove in 2010 and many other honors.


A Madridista by heart has departed from the club after serving for 25 years. He quoted " I'll not say goodbye because I'll return soon" May be not as a player but in some different role.

    Iker Casillas Sobering during his last presser for Real Madrid



 In his last presser he was sobering, may be it's not easy to leave the club you love. Here's the video

He quoted again, " Wherever I go, I'll continue to shout 'Hala Madrid' " and also said " Don't remember me as a good or bad goalkeeper... Remember me as a good person with its defects. "  in the letter to his fans.

 
 Here's a letter by Iker Casillas to his fans.

 Iker didn't get a farewell like Xavi, Pirlo and Gerrard got. So Real Madrid have asked FC Porto to play in the Bernabeu Trophy in the August, FC Porto have agreed to play. Real Madrid wants to give a very good farewell to their legend.

Goodbye Legend! you'll be missed in the white jersey.