Never fails – I lay down for a nap and the shit goes down. I’ve been waiting for the announcement, dreading it actually, and now it’s official: Iker is leaving Real Madrid.
FROM REALMADRID.COM
Real Madrid C. F. and FC Porto have reached a deal on the transfer of Iker Casillas to the Portuguese club.
For Real Madrid today is a day, above all, of thanks and recognition. One of the best goalkeepers in this club is not just leaving, today the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the club and in the history of Spanish football is moving on to a new stage in his footballing career.
This goodbye evokes thousands of sensations and memories charged with hope, anticipation, sacrifice, strength and unique triumph. Iker Casillas has made our coat of arms even greater. He has been our captain and has forged his legend here since he arrived as a child at just nine years of age.
Our club is 113 years old and Casillas has worn our jersey for 25 of those years. During that time he has become one of our finest leaders and has won the respect, affection, admiration and love of the fans beyond colours and afiliations.
3 European Cups, 1 World Club Cup, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 2 European Supercups, 5 Ligas, 2 Copas del Rey and 4 Spanish Supercups with Real Madrid and 1 World Cup and 2 European Championships with the ultimate Spanish national side are an important part of his legacy, but there is much, much more. The Zamora trophy, the Bravo trophy and chosen 5 times as the best goalkeeper in the world. Added to all this is the Premio Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes (Prince of Asturias Sporting Award).
The complete list is endless and impressive, but above all it is an honour and pride of the madridistas. Iker is leaving, but his legacy is here forever. His attitude and actions in the 725 games he played in the our jersey shine a light on the path for those who dream of being part of this team.
Thank you Iker, for everything you have done. Thank you for being a symbol of the best in our history. You are going but we will never forget that you’ll always belong to the heart of Real Madrid.
Lest we forget, today is also the 5th anniversary of this beautiful moment in Iker’s life:
This is an emotional day for the club and fans alike. Let’s raise a glass to San Iker – thank you, sir for all you have done for our beloved club.
While I know that many people have differing views of how this is going down, please be respectful of each other in the comments. Whether or not you like Iker, he is a huge part of our club’s history and has given 25 years to Los Blancos – the majority of his life. Never forget that.
– Lozil
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
watishistacorrespondents
And it’s (finally) official, the last remnants of my world have been smashed into a thousand pieces.
::hugs:: It’s a rough day for all Madridistas. Iker is a talisman for the club. Reminds me of when Raul left. End of an era.
Sniff! I never thought I would see this day. No matter what, he will always be a part of Madrid!
That he will. 😦
Wow. Ok. Another club legend of ours leaving unceremoniously and bitterly. How ridiculous! So. Flipping. Pissed. I can’t imagine not having Iker in our team and now he won’t even leave on a good note. I really just sometimes cannot handle the BS of this club. Ugh
Fuckery and drama are our middle names. Why does this club have to be so messy? 😦
Why can’t Flop learn to say goodbye properly?
Yeah, this one hurts. He’s my hero. He’s been my hero since I was seventeen. I wish only good things for him going forward, but ow… It does hurt.
It’s a sad moment, whether or not people like him, they have to admit seeing someone leave a club after 25 years is tough. He’s a potent symbol of Madridismo and it’s going to be a weird adjustment not seeing him in the net, with the team. 😦
I think it’s such a shame the way Iker has been treated during his last few years at Real Madrid. He is a legend and is always a gentleman, no matter what. I hope he can be happy now.
Me too. 😦
It is just so silly of the club to let a famed one-club man go like this. Would Roma do this to Totti? Differences aside, both parties would have benefitted from a big, warm send-off. He is someone who could become an ambassador for the club in a few years.
Yeah, the era of the one-club man is pretty much over, methinks. Happened to Basti Schweinsteiger as well. Totti is part of a dying breed. 😦
I really though he would retire at this club. Granted he was not same after his surgery but still, seems unreal. I cannot imagine Champion League games now with Iker not doing the captain thing. 😥