Iker Casillas announces retirement from football
Iker Casillas has confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 39.
The former Real Madrid and Porto star last played for the Portuguese side 15 months ago due to a heart attack suffered in training from which he has taken over a year to recover.
During his rehabilitation, he was given a role within Porto’s coaching staff, but with no confirmation as to whether he would continue his playing career.
Now following the conclusion of the 2019/20 season in Portugal and around Europe, he has announced via a social media post that he will be hanging up his gloves.
Casillas played for Real Madrid between 1999 and 2015 and was hugely successful, winning three Champions League titles and five La Liga titles among a raft of others.
Los Blancos released a statement after hearing of the retirement news which read:
“Following Iker Casillas' announcement about his retirement from professional football, Real Madrid C. F. wants to show its recognition, admiration and affection for one of the biggest legends of our club and of world football.
“The best goalkeeper in the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football joined us at the age of 9. He was formed here and defended our shirt for 25 years, becoming one of our most emblematic captains of all time. Iker Casillas earned the love of madridismo and is a symbol of the values that Real Madrid represents.
“Today one of the most important footballers in our 118 years of history calls it a day as a professional player, a player we love and admire, a goalkeeper who has made the Real Madrid legacy bigger with his work and exemplary behaviour both on and off the pitch.”
At national level Casillas has achieved legendary status, too, winning the World Cup and two European Championships.