The Real Madrid goalie has been the undisputed first choice keeper for club and country for over a decade now, but currently finds himself under jeopardy of losing his coveted number one spot.
“The Saint” as he is referred to by his fellow teammates is the most capped Spanish international with 143 appearances for his national side, he is third in the list for most appearances for Real Madrid having represented Los Blancos on 654 occasions.
The 32 year old has been an astronomical figure in the success Spain have achieved in recent times. He has captained the Spanish golden generation to numerous triumphant feats and since 2008 under his leadership Spain have won all major titles which have been on the offering.
His contributions towards his club have been equally instrumental, the Spanish international came through the ranks at Real Madrid having represented the club at all levels. His rise to the top was much sooner than expected and just at the tender age of 19, Iker successfully established himself as the first choice keeper at the club.
The 32 year old having won almost all allocates under his vicinity established himself as an undeniable candidate for the number one spot for both his club and country. However his position was questioned by departing Madrid manager Jose Mourinho who doubted his abilities after the Spanish international showcased a string of below par performances. His antics earned him a demotion to the bench with second choice keeper Antonio Adan getting the nod ahead of him.
Things were to get worse for the Madrid captain after he fractured his left hand during Madrid’s Copa Del Rey tie against Valencia, an injury which kept Iker out of contention for 12 weeks and instigated Mourinho to dip in the market for a replacement.
Madrid’s new buy Diego Lopez was more than a replacement for the injured Casillas. The former Sevilla man was exemplary between the posts for Los Blancos and his antics earned Madrid important points which allowed them to narrow down the gap between themselves and Barcelona.
Casillas who expected a king’s welcome upon his return was shown his place by the Madrid gaffer, who regarded Casillas to be only good enough as Lopez’s backup.
Casillas would spend the remaining of the season out in the cold and did not make a single appearance after his return from injury, Diego’s fine form in goal further ensured his place in the starting line up ahead of the Madrid captain.
If playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez was not humiliating enough for Iker, Mourinho in his last game in charge of Madrid against Osasuna preferred playing young Jesus Fernandez in place of the injured Lopez whereas Casillas failed to register a place even on the bench.
Having not played competitive football in over four months now, fitness will definitely be a concern for the Spain captain who after losing his place at the club, is in danger of losing his number one spot at the national side to either of Victor Valdes or Pepe Reina both of whom have been regular starters for their respective clubs in the last season.
Spain head coach Vicente Del Bosque has granted full support to his captain and has regarded him as a key player for the team. The former Real Madrid coach however has given equal opportunities to all of his keepers in the international friendlies which took place prior to the Confederations Cup and has stated that either of the three could be handed the number one spot.
Even though Casillas’ form has suffered lately and despite of being frozen out of the squad one can expect him to bounce back from such a situation. Iker is of a resilient character and is strong enough to bounce back from such a setback. His past performances and the individual allocates he has earned are a true indicator of his abilities.
Casillas is not alien to such setbacks and was put under a similar situation in the 2001-02 season when then Real Madird head coach Vicente Del Bosque axed him from the squad after a series of poor performances.
However he more than redeemed himself when upon his return he made a string of fine saves in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen and guaranteed his side their ninth Champions League crown.
The Confederations Cup is an ideal stage for Casillas to showcase his undeniable talent and send out a message to the football world and especially to his former manager Jose Mourinho that he is still among the best goal-keepers in the world.
The 32 year old has been an astronomical figure in the success Spain have achieved in recent times. He has captained the Spanish golden generation to numerous triumphant feats and since 2008 under his leadership Spain have won all major titles which have been on the offering.
His contributions towards his club have been equally instrumental, the Spanish international came through the ranks at Real Madrid having represented the club at all levels. His rise to the top was much sooner than expected and just at the tender age of 19, Iker successfully established himself as the first choice keeper at the club.
The 32 year old having won almost all allocates under his vicinity established himself as an undeniable candidate for the number one spot for both his club and country. However his position was questioned by departing Madrid manager Jose Mourinho who doubted his abilities after the Spanish international showcased a string of below par performances. His antics earned him a demotion to the bench with second choice keeper Antonio Adan getting the nod ahead of him.
Things were to get worse for the Madrid captain after he fractured his left hand during Madrid’s Copa Del Rey tie against Valencia, an injury which kept Iker out of contention for 12 weeks and instigated Mourinho to dip in the market for a replacement.
Madrid’s new buy Diego Lopez was more than a replacement for the injured Casillas. The former Sevilla man was exemplary between the posts for Los Blancos and his antics earned Madrid important points which allowed them to narrow down the gap between themselves and Barcelona.
Casillas who expected a king’s welcome upon his return was shown his place by the Madrid gaffer, who regarded Casillas to be only good enough as Lopez’s backup.
Casillas would spend the remaining of the season out in the cold and did not make a single appearance after his return from injury, Diego’s fine form in goal further ensured his place in the starting line up ahead of the Madrid captain.
If playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez was not humiliating enough for Iker, Mourinho in his last game in charge of Madrid against Osasuna preferred playing young Jesus Fernandez in place of the injured Lopez whereas Casillas failed to register a place even on the bench.
Having not played competitive football in over four months now, fitness will definitely be a concern for the Spain captain who after losing his place at the club, is in danger of losing his number one spot at the national side to either of Victor Valdes or Pepe Reina both of whom have been regular starters for their respective clubs in the last season.
Spain head coach Vicente Del Bosque has granted full support to his captain and has regarded him as a key player for the team. The former Real Madrid coach however has given equal opportunities to all of his keepers in the international friendlies which took place prior to the Confederations Cup and has stated that either of the three could be handed the number one spot.
Even though Casillas’ form has suffered lately and despite of being frozen out of the squad one can expect him to bounce back from such a situation. Iker is of a resilient character and is strong enough to bounce back from such a setback. His past performances and the individual allocates he has earned are a true indicator of his abilities.
Casillas is not alien to such setbacks and was put under a similar situation in the 2001-02 season when then Real Madird head coach Vicente Del Bosque axed him from the squad after a series of poor performances.
However he more than redeemed himself when upon his return he made a string of fine saves in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen and guaranteed his side their ninth Champions League crown.
The Confederations Cup is an ideal stage for Casillas to showcase his undeniable talent and send out a message to the football world and especially to his former manager Jose Mourinho that he is still among the best goal-keepers in the world.
