Casillias is one among the best goalkeepers in the current era. Casillas is the number one goalkeeper of European Giant Real Madrid and Spanish national team. He captained Spain to Euro cup glory in 2008 ending Spain’s 44-year drought for international trophies. Casillas is a solid presence behind the Real Madrid defence. Acknowledging Casillas’s contribution to Real Madrid, club offered him a lifetime contract, which will let him stay with them until 2017.He is one of the rare loyal one-club players.
Iker Casillas Fernandez was born on 20th may 1981 at Mostoles, in Spain. Casillias joined Real Madrid at the age of nine and played for their various youth teams until 1998.He played for Real Madrid C during 1998/1999 season .In 1999/2000 season, Casillas initially played for Real Madrid B .Later, he made his debut for senior side of Real Madrid during that season. He played 26 matches for Real Madrid during that season. At 19, he became the youngest goalkeeper to play in UEFA Champions League, when he played for Real Madrid against Valencia in 2000 .Madrid won the Champions league 3-0.Casillas won Bravo Award as well as Premio Don Balon award in 2000.He lost the number one spot to Cesar Sanchez during 2000/2001 season. However, he regained his spot following an injury to Sanchez, during the 2002 UEFA Champions league final against Bayern Leverkusen. He helped Real Madrid to win the Champions league with some excellent saves. He won the UEFA Super cup as well as Intercontinental cup in 2002, with Real Madrid. Iker Casillas won consecutive La Liga titles in 2007 and 2008, with Madrid. IIFHS named Casillas as the Best Goalkeeper in the world for the year 2008.Its a remarkable achievement for a player who plays behind leaky Real Madrid defence. Casillas is a stellar performer for real Madrid. He has played over 472 matches for them.
Casillas started his International career by playing Spanish Youth teams. He won UEFA Under-15 championship in 1995 ,UEFA Under-16 Championship in 1997,UEFA –CAF Meridan Cup in 199 with Spanish under-15,under-16 and under -17 clubs respectively. He won FIFA world Youth Championship in 1999 with Spanish under-20 team. He made his senior team debut for Spain while playing against Sweden, at the age of 19.He played for Spain as the number one goalkeeper at 2002 world cup, following withdrawal of Canizares. He was the youngest goalkeeper in that world cup. Casillas became a permanent fixture in Spanish National team after his impressive performances for Real Madrid. He helped Spain to qualify for Euro 2004 with great performances. He played all the matches that Spain featured in that tournament. Iker Casillas played all the games during 2006 world cup held in Germany. He captained Spain in couple of matches in that tourney. Spain made it to the Knock out stage in the world cup. Casillas led the Spain to Euro cup win in 2008, as captain. Casillas kept three consecutive clean sheets during the quarter final, semi-final, as well as final. Casillas and Reina together kept 710 minutes without allowing a goal and it’s a Spanish record. FIFA named Casillas in their 2008 Team of the year. Casillas played around 96 matches for Spain and has more than 43 clean sheets to his name.
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