PLAYER PROFILE 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 JuppHeynckes 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 at the age of 26 he is one of the squad’s most experienced players and the team’s fourth captain. The press hailed him as one of the “Heroes of Glasgow” after he stepped in for an injured César 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’s been the number one keeper for Real Madrid and Spain every since.
Agile, quick, intelligent, and nearly unbeatable, Casillas is well on his way to becoming the best active goalkeeper in the world.
Many consider Iker Casillas to be the best goalkeeper in the world, but if anyone has their doubts, he’s definitely among the top three. At the age of 26 he’s won more titles and accolades than most players win throughout their careers. Not only is Iker a great person on the pitch, he’s got one of the biggest hearts off it and always makes himself available to lend a helping hand.
Casillas is quite superstitious, and whenever one his teammates scores, he has to touch the crossbar of his own goal. Two things he misses most since becoming a household name are visiting the local amusement park and traveling on the city’s subway, and he’s been quoted as saying that he’d like to be President of Real Madrid at some point down the road.
Real Madrid youth system (1990-1999)
Real Madrid (1999-present)
La Liga debut: 12 September 1999
Match: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid debut: 12 September 1999
Match: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Real Madrid
International for Spain
October 6th, 2008 at 10:42 am
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