Iker Casillas is a very famous Spanish football goalkeeper, who became the World and European champion in the Spanish national team. What is interesting about his biography and personal life of the athlete?
Casillas Biography
The future goalkeeper of the Spanish national team was born on May 20, 1981 on the outskirts of Madrid in the town of Mostoles. This is a small town, whose inhabitants mainly work in factories. Since childhood, Casillas spent a lot of time with his peers, playing football. He really enjoyed standing in the goal. The boy's father was an avid football fan. Therefore, sometimes he took his son to Real Madrid matches. Iker was so inspired by the atmosphere of large stadiums that he persuaded dad to enroll him in a football school.
At eight years old, his father took Casillas to view in Real Madrid. The boy was praised, but not taken because of his too young age. And a year later Iker was enrolled in the world-famous academy.
Casillas went through all the age teams of Real Madrid, and from the age of 15 he began to be called up to the Spanish national teams. So he three times became the world champion in 15, 16 and 21 years.
In 1999, the young goalkeeper was called to the base of Real. And just ahead of the Champions League final, the club's main goalkeeper was injured. The head coach took a chance and put Iker on the gate. As a result, a dry victory was won, and Casillas became famous throughout the country.
After that, however, he was returned to the second team to receive game practice. But in 2001, finally transferred to the basis of Real. And again, this was the Champions League final, in which the Royal Club beat Bayer from Leverkusen.
From this moment Casillas became the main goalkeeper of Real Madrid for many years. He was always distinguished by the ability to play on the goal line, as well as quick reaction, jumping ability and ability to control the defenders. Iker has played more than 500 games as part of the Madrid club. During this time, he became the champion of Spain five times, won the Champions League three times, and won the Spanish Cup twice.
In parallel with a successful club career, Casillas became a real hero of the Spanish national team, which, with his direct participation, was able to win twice at the European Championship and once at the World Championship in 2010. Iker five times recognized as the best goalkeeper of the year according to FIFA.
But nothing in this world can be eternal. Therefore, Casillas' career is gradually moving to its sunset. In 2015, he moved from Real Madrid to the Portuguese Porto. At first, his club was not doing very well, but then Iker became the main goalkeeper and helped his team win the Portuguese title in 2018. While the 37-year-old goalkeeper does not think about ending his career and continues to delight loyal fans with his game.
