Iker Casillas

Sailor Mars

Well-known member
most people say Buffon but I always preferred Casillas. he didn't get much help from his defenders for most of his career and had to pull off heroics to win games, he is also more accomplished in terms of trophies

That's true that Buffon's teams were better known for their defensive ability compared to Casilla's Real Madrid teams.
That being said, Buffon had a very good Juve team from 2001(when he joined) til 2006( the Calciopoli scandal).
After that, Juventus weren't an elite side till around 2015. Casillas had better teams in front of him for most of his club career allowing him to get more trophies.
 

El Gato

Villarato!
All things considered, for me probably Buffon. Iker was gifted, produced many special moments and played behind a shit backline for a decade, but you always had the feeling he wasn't really a 'worker' and was hardly ever scrutinised for his imperfections, because of how good he could be on a good day and how shit Spain were in his formative years. He had this Spanish umbrella of protection over him all along after he displaced Canizares in early 2000s. I loved the urgency and the passion, but the inherent limits got more and more obvious towards the end of his career. Many people remarked how he didn't really have to train exceedingly hard to remain at the level he and the coaches thought was sufficient. Gigi for me always had a lot more polish and longevity, even if that CL final at 38 was rather poor. But they're very different as keepers. If I had to take one for a pickup game, I'd take prime Gigi. But I love Iker and would never change him for a different keeper given the opportunity.

Incidentally, Navas will always remain the underrated keeper of the lot and is an excellent comparison when talking about Casillas. I always thought he would have been as legendary as Iker, if not more, had he come through Real ranks at the same time. The way he peaked solely based on work ethic was extraordinary, almost unprecedented, particularly for a guy with not really strong early career background. He has many of the same limitations and is slightly more error prone, but if he hadn't succeeded Iker, he'd absolutely be a club legend at the same level. To me he is as important to the serial RM success of 2015-2018 as Casillas was to the several campaigns in the noughties.
 
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FinBarcelonafan

Well-known member
Officially retired.

One of the most gifted stoppers in history. Always disliked the certain trend against short keepers. Don't love his inclinations for politics, but he's no doubt a born diplomat who will always seek a compromise, for better or worse. Legend of the game. Thank you San Iker.

I have big respect for Casillas. Great career and GL for the future! Classy guy!
 

Morten

Senior Member
Its been clear for a while, but now the retirement is official.
One of the most accomplished keepers of all time, and i daresay, one of the best of all time on his peak level.

Had so many spectacular saves, but i think the one i will always remember best is his save against Robben in the world cup final.

Shame about the way he never got a proper goodbye here.
Amazing career and a club legend, thanks for everything.
 
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khaled_a_d

Senior Member
Never liked him as a person, but he has been a top notch GK for around a decade or so and surely an All time great.
Buffon, Cech,Casillas and later Neuer were great generation of GK that were nice to watch competing.
 

El Gato

Villarato!
After he left Madrid he's been pretty supportive of Barca and Messi.

https://www.sportbible.com/football...el-messi-is-the-greatest-of-all-time-20191202

He is a closet Barca fan.

Not really. He's a good politician, or at least is 'blessed' with the aura.

He's a legend of the game one way or another, whether you want to talk about the sheer skill, amount of luck or level of responsibility he assumed.

I hope for his own sake he doesn't go into politics, because it won't end well for him, but wish every bit of luck to him in his post-retirement career.
 

Qqqq

New member
I've always held him in high regard. At his peak, he was perhaps the most spectacular keeper the world has ever seen (not necessarily meaning the best). His reflexes were something else.

In fact, the core of spanish players in Madrid in the early 2000's were a different breed compared to the likes of Ramos and co.

Morientes, Casillas, Ra?l, Hierro etc. Wonderful players.
 

Messi983

Senior Member
Iker Casillas returns to the emergency room after a new heart scare

Iker Casillas had to go to the emergency room last Wednesday, April 28, after suffering severe pain in his chest, as reported by Hola magazine exclusively. The exporter was playing paddle tennis with some friends when he noticed that his heart was racing abnormally.

Without wasting time, Casillas traveled to the Quir?nsalud Madrid University Hospital, in Pozuelo de Alarc?n, on his own feet and accompanied by a friend. After undergoing the relevant tests and being examined by specialists, it was ruled out that it was a heart attack. The athlete left the medical center at dawn, to return to the attic where he has been installed since his separation from Sara Carbonero.

Casillas has made no public statements about his visit to the emergency room. Yesterday he posted on his Instagram a photograph in which he appeared dressed in sportswear, ready to go for a race. And as reported by Europa Press, today he was seen first thing in the morning leaving his children at school.

We remember that Casillas' life took a radical turn on May 1, 2019, when he suffered a myocardial infarction during training in Porto, at the age of 37. The event precipitated his definitive professional retirement, a year and a few months after the scare. Since then, the former goalkeeper has spoken on several occasions about that episode, even saying that his recovery was like "being born again."



https://as.com/tikitakas/2021/05/05/portada/1620202820_964999.html
 

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