“A 16-year-old Casillas is sitting in his classroom, discussing Real Madrid with his mates when the school principal tells him that he has a plane to catch and join the First Team of Real Madrid, who are facing Rosenberg in Norway. There is no better to start his dream Journey.”
“The year is 2000, Casillas celebrated his 19th birthday four days ago and now he is playing in the final of the UEFA champions’ league. Real Madrid wins the Final 3–0 and the 19-year-old wunderkind has managed to keep a clean sheet.”
“Two years later, Casillas is nervous as he is getting ready to be subbed in for the injured “Cesar Sanchez”. The year 2001–2002 has not been very good for the 21-year-old keeper as he lost his position to the backup keeper.
But now he has a chance to redeem himself but at the same time, this is a herculean task to come on in the final against a Bayer Leverkusen side led by Michael Ballack and Yildiray Baştürk. Casillas manages to hold his ground as Real Madrid somehow prevent conceding the goal and are crowned Champions a Record 9th time. At the age of 21 Casillas has already won the champions league 3 times and played the Final twice. Real Madrid on their part are lucky to have to found the successor of Lev Yashin.”
If there is anything more illustrious than the way his career started, then it is how the rest of the career went for “San Iker”.
He was the Captain of the Spain side that won the Euro 2008, FIFA World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012. Having won the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper Award Five Times, a world cup Golden Glove and a fourth place at the 2008 Ballon d’Or ceremony, there is no lack of luster in his Career which also involves numerous other records for appearances, clean sheets, and trophies won.
In 2013, for the first time in 9 years, Casillas lost his position to Diego Lopez behest an injury. But the way he bounced back was even more impressive as he went on to win the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid after a gap of 12 years while Madrid became the kings of Europe for the 10th time.
But as all good things come to end, Casillas left Madrid in 2015 after 25 years and joined FC Porto. It is being speculated that the President Forced the Player out of Madrid with Xavi Hernandes claiming that Madrid was ungrateful to the Legend. In this last Press conference, Casillas was reduced tears after which the fans started demanding the resignation of Perez. But as Madrid went on to win the Champions league four times in five years, the outcry was subdued but the love for San Iker never ended.
What Casillas means to Madridistas cannot be replicated. Casillas became the Captain of Madrid in 2010, but he was the leader of Madridista’s for a very long time. In a Spanish Squad dominated by Barcelona players, he was the Captain and the pride of Madrid.
He served Madrid Day in and out for 25 years and lead the team from the front. On days when the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo were booed and Jeered, one sign from Casillas and the fans would be silent. He gave his life for Real Madrid and Fans recognized that and revered him in Love, Honor, and Respect.
Casillas started his Real Madrid journey at the age of 16 and it came to an end at the age of 34. And in those 25 years, he became a legend to three generations of fans. Seasons came and went but the man between the poles remained the same. The journey of Iker Casillas is about how a 16-year-old Schoolkid went from discussing Football in the classroom to traveling with Real Madrid First Squad in a matter of hours.
How a certain player led and inspired three Generations of Fans for 25 years.
A player won stood above the Barcelona Madrid rivalry and above all Served Real Madrid like a devout son.
And now the Favorite son of Madrid is back.
Upon retirement, Perez called Casillas back to Madrid, who will be working as an advisor to the club president. This is a similar role that Di Stefano and Zidane Shared before him.
The Favourite Son of Real Madrid is ready to serve once again and the Fans are hailing their King to Kingdom Cometh.
Author: Hamzah Mattoo has been following football religiously ever since the FIFA world cup 2006, when he was 7 years old and now after missing the chance to make a career in football, has decided to contribute through his words.
Creative Writer at Headkick.co
