Spain and Real Madrid Legend Iker Casillas Announces Retirement at Age of 39
By Adam Aladay
Spain and Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas has announced his retirement from football after 22 years in the game.
Casillas made 725 appearances in total for Real Madrid, a club he joined at the age of nine. The Spaniard managed to win 19 trophies during his time with the club - including five La Liga titles - before departing for Porto in the summer of 2015. But he hadn't played for the club since a sudden health scare in 2019.
Lo importante es el camino que recorres y la gente que te acompaña, no el destino al que te lleva, porque eso con trabajo y esfuerzo, llega solo y creo que puedo decir, sin dudar, que ha sido el camino y el destino soñado #Grac1as pic.twitter.com/xb8ucs9REh
— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) August 4, 2020
Casillas has now taken to his official Twitter to announce his retirement from the game, bringing to an end his illustrious playing career. Real Madrid have shown their appreciation for their former star man, a player they have described as one of the most important figures in the club's history.
"Given the announcement by Iker Casillas about his retirement from football as a professional player, Real Madrid CF wants to show its appreciation, admiration and love for one of the greatest legends of our club and world football," a statement read on the club's official website.
"The best goalkeeper in the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football came to our house when he was 9 years old. Here our shirt was formed and defended for 25 years, being forever one of our most iconic captains. Iker Casillas has earned the love of Real Madrid and is a benchmark of the values that represent Real Madrid.
? @IKERCASILLAS, LEYENDA DEL @REALMADRID ?#RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/FHHwmCBDf8
— Real Madrid C.F. (34?) (@realmadrid) August 4, 2020
"Today, one of the most important footballers in our 118-year history, a player whom we love and admire, a goalkeeper who has enlarged the legend of Real Madrid with his work and with exemplary behaviour both inside and outside, says goodbye as a professional player.
"Iker Casillas belongs to the heart of Real Madrid and will be so forever. Real Madrid wants to convey to him and his family the affection of our club, which is the club of his life."
An icon on the international stage as well, Casillas captained Spain to World Cup glory in 2010, while he also won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012. The 39-year-old held the record of his country's most-capped player, before Sergio Ramos overtook him after making his 168th appearance.