REAL MADRID | IKER CASILLAS LEAVES FOR PORTO

News just coming in  announce that Real Madrid Goalkeeper & Captain Iker Casillas is on his way to Portuguese Club Porto after the player & his current club shut the deal. A bitter end after 25 years of service with 16 in the A-squad. The negotiation battle was hard with economic issues at the forefront & with end to end accusations from both sides that blemished the end of the career from Iker at Real Madrid.

So bad have things apparently ended, that Iker Casillas has refused a "special goodbye event" organized by the Club & will say goodbye to the "fans" in a press conference tomorrow that he will organize. Already expectations are high on what will be his final words, & if he will leave throwing darts.

Iker Casillas leaves for Porto - free of transfer - after his remaining 2 years of contract was resolved. Porto offers a 2 year contract with another optional & will pay 5M€ in salary & Real Madrid the remaining amount as in his contract with the Spanish Club. Just to remind you Casillas was earning around 12M€ + or - gross at Real Madrid. 

Casillas leaves bitter after he was shown the exit door & from the harsh criticisms received from fans in recent years. We wish him luck with his new adventure.

Real Madrid has already quickly moved & is close to signing RCD Espanyol Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, transfer price around 6M€. Another target David De Gea is still in negotiation.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID TRANSFER NEWS | BIGLIA - CASILLAS

News out from Italy, precisely from "La Gazzetta Dello Sport", publishes that Spanish Football Club Real Madrid has contacted (asked about) 29 year old Argentine & Lazio Central Defender Lucas Biglia. The player is sounding - along with others - as a possible substitute for Sergio Ramos in case the latter does not come to an agreement over his contract renewal with Real Madrid.

There is rumour that Real Madrid offered 22 M€ which Lazio rejected because they value Biglia around the 30M€ plus mark. A news piece that could be motivated by other interests as it appears that Manchester City & Paris St Germain could be competing to sign the Argentine.

Meanwhile staying with Real Madrid, other news is that goalkeeper Iker Casillas has an offer from AC Roma which is to his liking. The Italian Club knowing well the complicated situation of Casillas with Real Madrid & the latter desire to find an exit, has only offered a 3M€ per season salary (he now earns 8M€) & wants the player without a transfer fee. The solution would be that Real Madrid pay his salary difference of his remaining 2 year contract. 

Stay tuned on both fronts!

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IKER CASILLAS TO LEAVE REAL MADRID

News has "exploded" out from Spanish state TV - TVE - that Real Madrid & Spanish International goalkeeper Iker Casillas has decided to look elsewhere next season, that is, he will leave the Club after 16 years in the elite & 25 years from starting in the youth sides. The player himself has not confirmed or denied yet the story but it has been picked up by all local papers & media as a main Sporting "flash".

Iker Casillas had expressed weeks back that his intentions were to continue in Real Madrid until the end of his contract. However, fanbase rejection all season, the arrival of new Coach Rafael Benitez & the possible arrival of David De Gea from Manchester United has made Casillas rethink this future. It seems that his options are very clear, if he stays he will be a substitute goalie & his "ticket" for the upcoming Euro 2016 in doubt, while if he leaves he can continue playing in the frontline of European Football & breathe new air in one of the many offers his representatives say they have received. 

The "veteran" observers add that Iker Casillas had made up his mind weeks back & has simply maintained a "tug-of-war" negotiation position with Real Madrid accepting an exit if he receives the money owed from his remaining two years at the Club or a transfer without a any fee. 

In any case, the news from TVE will needed to be verified & if possible affirmed from iker Casillas himself. The news source adds that both Club & player are ironing out the details for a grand exit with full honours, they need to settle the details, the economic issues & the dates.

Stay tuned for further news. 

PS: Spanish Sports paper "Marca" cites the player as saying "he hasn't received a call from the Club". Thus has no intention of moving" ?????

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REAL MADRID - DE GEA | MUSICAL CHAIRS

Manchester United Manager Van Gaal made the comment: De Gea is Spanish, a Spanish International, his Spanish parents have to fly out from Spain nearly every week, his girlfriend is Spanish & Real Madrid is a huge Spanish Football Club. The goalkeeper is very keen to return to Spain & Real Madrid has made him an offer. 

David De Gea has on his table a contract renewal proposal from Manchester Utd that is more, much more than his current contract, which he is not signing as yet. Along side is an alternative proposal from Real Madrid said to be around 5M€ per season, which is way below the United offer, but De Gea values returning "home" & a chance of a lifetime offer.

Latest news is that Real Madrid has made a 20 M€ offer to Manchester United, which is obviously ridiculous. This figure will slowly go up as United is perhaps thinking more about a 40 M€ number in order to OK any transfer.

However, Spanish media discloses that the representatives of David De Gea has informed Real Madrid that before negotiations go any further, that the Spanish Football Club solve its goalkeeping problem: Iker Casillas.

De Gea does not want to arrive at a Club where there is a ongoing problem with current goalkeepers Iker Casillas & Keylor Navas. Said in other words, one of the two will have to go, with Casillas the more likely candidate. In fact, local media insiders have commented that Real Madrid will sit down with Iker Casillas in coming days to study "alternatives" & a "clean exit". The Spanish goalkeeper still has contract with Real Madrid & desires to be fully compensated financially if he is to leave prematurely. This is an issue as the "good-bye" payment is around 30M€, while the player also asks to leave without a transfer fee to make him more "attractive" to interested Clubs. 

While all this is in the air, De Gea will hold out at Manchester United because he too has a year more in his current contract. Iker Casillas exit seems to be the key.

Stay tuned!

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DAVID DE GEA THE CHOSEN ONE BY REAL MADRID

It is fairly unanimous, current Manchester United Spanish International goalkeeper David De Gea is destined to be the substitute of Iker Casillas at Real Madrid & the Spanish National Team. The speculation is constant & if the river sounds...

The representative of David De Gea is none other than Portuguese Jorge Mendes, which has an ace up his sleeve. His player ends contract in 2016, thus if De Gea does not renew with United he can leave free in 2016 to the Club that he desires. Obviously this goes against the interest of his current Club which would be wise to get the money, big money. 

Manchester United has offered David De Gea a new extended contract with a nice pay rise. However, De Gea, through Mendes, has yet to agree & this turns the red lights on at "Old Trafford". The Jorge Mendes PR Machine is already running "exaggerating" a bad relationship between his client & his Coach Van Gaal. Here is a clear "pressure lever" in action which is a distortion to the reality, but all is fair in love & war.

Real Madrid wants De Gea, he is the chosen one. Current goalie at Real Madrid Iker Casillas has his days counted, it is speculated that he will leave at the end of his season, or at worst the end of the next. And David De Gea will be waiting to arrive at the end of this season or the next.

Stay tuned, as with everything connected with Football, there will be new twists & turns.

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DIEGO LOPEZ TO GO TO AC MILAN

Spanish Football Club Real Madrid - while the bad tongues say Captain Iker Casillas - have got their way & pushed aside goalkeeper Diego Lopez to another Club. The pressure by "both" has been fierce & embarrassing the last few days that Diego Lopez has come to an agreement to sign with Italian Club AC Milan.

The deal between Clubs & Diego Lopez is not official as yet, but AC Milan Chief Galliani said it was 99% done.  Spanish Sports paper "Marca" go further this afternoon & publish that it is a done deal. It is expected that Diego Lopez will fly off to Milan on Monday & sign his new contract with Milan for the next 4 years at around 2.5M€/season. 

The exit finishes the intense debate that has split the Real Madrid fan-base between Lopez & Iker Casillas on who should be the regular goalie. The Club wanted to start the new season without another season of controversy & decided to rid one of them, Diego Lopez being the unfortunate chosen player. The decision to rid Lopez is more a political than a Sporting decision as Iker Casillas is a historical Club figure with important fan-base support. However, the credit of Iker Casillas is running out as his on field form is not up to standards & there is "tension" within the Real Madrid dressing room with some other players that believe the behaviour & methods employed by Iker Casillas have not been at all ethical.

Diego Lopez may soon be gone, but Iker Casillas will have newly signed goalie Keylor Navas breathing down his back. If Casillas cannot regain his form soon or if he continues with his goalkeeping mistakes the debate will again be reopened with Navas replacing him or everyone reminding why Diego Lopez was transferred in the first place.
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REAL MADRID ANNOUNCES KEYLOR NAVAS SIGNING

Spanish Football Club Real Madrid CF has officially announced via their Website that they have signed Costa Rica International & Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Real Madrid pays Levante the 10M€ contract release clause & summons the player to Madrid to be officially presented to Spanish & World media on Tuesday. 

The signing was a fact for the last 3 weeks but Real Madrid has had to "solve" its own over-booking in the goal area with Iker Casillas & Diego Lopez. Real Madrid has finally decided to go with Iker Casillas & has pressured Diego Lopez to find a Club elsewhere to exercise his profession. Diego Lopez is currently fixing the details of his exit with the Club & it seems that AC Monaco could be his new destination.

Keylor Navas is expected to give heavy competition to Iker Casillas so that the latter can lift his lost form. Watching past matches from Iker Casillas & yesterdays poor performance in the Friendly against Manchester United, Iker Casillas will have to work hard to keep his place. Most local Football observers acknowledge that the forced exit of Diego Lopez follows political issues & not for Sporting reasons. 

Good luck to Keylor Navas with his new Sporting & Football adventure. 

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DIEGO LOPEZ SUCCUMBS TO THE REAL MADRID PRESSURE TO LEAVE

According to Spanish TV "La Sexta",via its Sports news section, Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez will be sacrificed to make way for newly signed Costa Rica goalie Keylor Navas. Diego Lopez wants to stay & compete for the goalkeeper position but intense Club pressure along with Coach Carlo Ancelotti letting known that team-mate Iker Casillas will be chosen ahead has lead Lopez to rethink his position. Obviously the man is not stupid & can read the "politically" driven signals.

The result is a band aid solution to a complex situation that Real Madrid as a Club wanted to avoid at all costs the continuing haemorrhaging this upcoming season. However-my opinion-the Club bends to the majority fan-base & media pressures & forces the "wrong goalkeeper" to leave.  A tough & I believe unfair decision that Diego Lopez finally accepts as a true & grand professional. A great Club man.

According to the cited Spanish TV station, Lopez will return back from the US Tour & settle his contract exit in a low profile manner without stirring up a storm. The player does not wish to speak about the "whole affair" & will begin examining his immediate future with currently looks more heading toward AC Monaco. However, the goalkeeper has a great reputation & many Top European Clubs many race in to give interesting offers. What is assured is that Diego Lopez will be able to exercise his profession with problems soon & without the choking pressure of playing at Real Madrid.

His apparent substitute, new signed Kaylor Navas, has been delaying his return from Costa Rica while Real Madrid solves the "goalkeeper problem". It is speculated that now that Lopez has decided to look elsewhere that Kaylor Navas will fly into Madrid possibly next Sunday to be presented officially next week.

No other Spanish Sports media source has confirmed that Diego Lopez has decided to leave except the Spanish TV "La Sexta". What is a reality is the pressure from the Club on Lopez to exit & that the Iker Casillas is the chosen goalie to start the season.

Stay tuned for more & importantly, for a confirmation. 

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REAL MADRID SIGNS KEYLOR NAVAS FROM LEVANTE

Mayor bombshell that has saturated the front pages of most Spanish Sports daily´s & media today. According to "Marca" REAL MADRID CF has paid the 10M€ contract release clause for 27 year old Costa Rica International & Levante goalkeeper KEYLOR NAVAS. Spanish newspaper "Abc.es" gives details like a 5 year contract with a 2,5M€ net salary/season. All the above has important ramifications for the Real Madrid Goalkeeping area as it will force either Iker Casillas or Diego Lopez to have to leave the Club. 

The Spanish Sports paper "Marca" bets that Diego Lopez will leave to either Italian Club Napoli or to Monaco. Both are very insistent with the possibility of signing Diego Lopez. However, things are not as clear as one would expect & this news piece opens up a variety of unexpected possibilities which still may surprise all of us. 

What seems clear is that Real Madrid wishes to avoid this new season the ongoing debate & continual controversy of Iker Casillas vs Diego Lopez that has split the Club fanbase & fuelled media the last 12 months. 

Earlier last month Spanish TV "Antenna 3" advanced that Real Madrid would sell both Iker Casillas & Diego Lopez, & substitute for Keylor Navas & RCD Espanyol goalie Kiko Casillas. The media source was criticised for announcing  an over exaggerated "prediction" that now seems to be at least a half truth. 

Other sources indicated that Iker Casillas is currently doubting whether to continue at Real Madrid for next season. His bad performance in the Champions League Final, World Cup & continuing criticism has made the apparent interest from Arsenal FC & Paris St Germain a possibility. His Club team-mate Diego Lopez has told his inner circle that he has no intention of leaving Real Madrid & feels better than last season to keep fighting for the Clubs Nº1 goalie position. 

All this leaves open the following upcoming scenarios:

• Although "Marca" gives the scoop of Real Madrid signing Keylor Navas, we need to wait for an official Club announcement,
• The arrival of Keylor Navas will cause either Diego Lopez or Iker Casillas to leave the Club,
• Most media sources speculate that Diego Lopez will leave for either Napoli or Monaco,
• Iker Casillas leaving instead has gained strength in the last days. Club candidates are Arsenal FC or Paris St Germain,
• The possibility of both Diego Lopez & Iker Casillas leaving is still a viable option,
• If both leave, the new look Real Madrid goalkeepers would be Keylor Navas & Kiko Casillas (from RCD Espanyol).

As you can read big news if it is confirmed that Real Madrid has signed Keylor Navas, & a big "revolution" with the Real Madrid goalkeeping positions.

Who will leave? Diego Lopez or Iker Casillas? Both? Stay tuned?

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SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM CRITICISMS | THE AFTERMATH

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. For those suspicious it was perhaps the worst day to start a World Cup campaign, for others Iker Casillas needs to be asked if he saw a Black Cat cross his path yesterday. The 1 - 5 defeat by Spain at the hands of Holland was humiliating & complicates their Group B qualification. Spain has to now defeat (yes or yes) a very difficult Chile, & then defeat Australia with plenty of goals.

In theory this can be achieved, but the unknown is if Spain & some of its players can lift out of the hole they dug last night for the occasion. The unexpected result was so savage that the open wounds inflicted may not scare in time. The psychological "torture" so intense that Spain may not be able to recover its lost confidence. The situation is critical & will need the "DNA" of Champions to recover. I am optimistic but the feat is a challenge in itself. 

While Spain spend these days licking their wounds, locally the critics have come out from under the carpet to voice their opinions. There are very severe words flying around Spain, with little respect for a squad that has been spectacular the last 8 years. However, the more moderate observer does separate himself from the the emotional kick in the teeth methods, the "Black Cat Theory" & does give some interesting points that need comment & analysis. Lets look at some elements:

• The Spanish Football Authorities: can anyone explain how a team can prepare its World Cup campaign in a city (Curitiba) where the temperature is around 15-18 degrees to later fly a day before to another city (Bahia) were it is nearly 30 degrees & a humidity of 85% to play its opening match? As shown Spain could not even run in the 2º half as they were physically suffocated. The Dutch by the way, trained at the beach in Rio.

• Selector & Coach Vicente de Bosque: accused of not taking the best possible Spain 23 over to Brazil. The existence of a "paternal instinct" that has prized out of form players like Villa, Torres, Xavi, Mata & Casillas etc. has left home watching the TV players who deserved their "Brazil ticket" like Fernando Llorente, Gabi, Carvajal, perhaps Raul Garcia, perhaps Ander Herrara...etc. I personally understand Del Bosque better proven experience over youth, but last night showed that many starting players are badly out of form & physically "wasted" after a long Club season.
  Added, there is some criticism of why Spain has taken Diego Costa. The Spanish Football Team has had to change its style in order to incorporate Costa, with more long balls. However, the player himself has not delivered the expected goods & on top is a constant "red card" danger.
  
  
• Iker Casillas: if two World Class Coaches like Mourinho & Carlo Ancelotti decide to sit Casillas at Club level, there must be a reason. The UEFA Champions Final against Atletico de Madrid warned us that Iker was not well. The Spanish Captain has two grand technical weakness, his aerial play & his foot work, plus now a third which he has been carrying for almost a year, lack of confidence. Technically Iker Casillas should not be the starting goalkeeper, the man is simply elsewhere.

• Xavi Hernandez: physically not up to the standards needed at World Cup level. The player is feeling his 34 years of age. In fact Xavi has not been all that great with FC Barcelona all season, & perhaps could have stayed home & given his place to another. Atletico de Madrid player Koke would have been a more appropriate starter with more youth & in complete form.

• Sergi Busquets: the player is on the field with an injury. In the second half Sergi was not able to reach & halt the Dutch creators. Coach Del Bosque takes off Xabi Alonso when it should have been Busquets. Some say that Busquets is the "favourite" of Del Bosque.
  
  
• Pique: the last weeks of Liga the player was out with an injured hip. The Barça player lacks playing time & yesterday suffered to reach the 90 min under the steamy conditions. Bayern Munich player Javi Martinez was the obvious choice but ...
  
  
• Sergio Ramos: all the recent praises & awards have not done any good. The player is undoubtedly a talent but Ramos suffers from over-confidence & lapses in concentration. His Club Coaches have managed this aspect by bring the player "down to earth", perhaps a "wake up call" from Del Bosque would be in order.
  
  
• Lack of goal: to win in Football you need to score goals, it is that simple. Spain has a problem up front, there is no "goal area Killer". The rivals have Spain more than studied & worked out, Diego Costa is an alternative but the player has yet to find his place in the team. 

In conclusion, the Spanish Football National Team has soon real problems that need drastic solutions. The 1 - 5 defeat has only brought them to light & it all begins with bad planning & bad choice of players not in form for the World Cup. The solutions will need some very brave decisions that I wonder if Coach Del Bosque is really up to the occasion. Local observers are advising that Casillas, Pique & Xavi Hernandez be dropped for starters. On the physical front I am not sure the players can recover as their legs are carrying more than 70 games of Liga & European Football. Mentally, it will be a challenge to comeback, here the veterans will have to guide the younger members & pull from pride & history. 

All the answers will be made clear against Chile, here we will be able to gauge if Spain has improved & perhaps predict their near future. The positive side is that Chile is not as sharp as we thought as they struggled against Australia in their opener, but they managed to win & will not have the enormous choking pressure on their shoulders as will the Spaniards. A loss against Chile will be the end of a fabulous period of Spanish Football that will herald the beginning of a "new era".

Lets be optimistic & give the current World Champions a vote of confidence. But the reality is that it is a very, very complicated & delicate situation. I would avoid "Black Cats" just in case.  

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REAL MADRID | MUTINY & THE END OF IKER CASILLAS ?

The aftermath of the Real Madrid 3 – 4 loss to FC Barcelona in Sundays “Clasico” still continues send "waves" with more “juicy news” that is worth a mention & may have long term effects. After the match the Spanish media & most Spanish Football fans were caught by surprise by the “post match” comments from Cristiano Ronaldo & Sergio Ramos to the media. Both sanctioned the referee decisions & both let known that they were tired of “biting their tongues” to what appeared a "planned" & perverse wish from the “powers that be” of Spanish Football to continually put a spoke in the Real Madrid wheel. Both players recalled how their team always falls to controversial decisions & nearly always ends up with 10 men against FC Barcelona. Cristiano let known that perhaps there was a “dark hand” somewhere, while Ramos went further on to add that he is personally feed-up with all the clear bias & unfair treatment shown towards his team, & that he spoke for 90 % of the squad.

Leaving apart these player comments & their “Conspiracy Theories”,  that frankly do not add anything apart from bad vibes & poor losing statements, I was curious about the 90% figure given by Ramos & thought which 10% was not in accorded.

It turns out that Spanish journalist Javier Martin put forward an interesting article about a post-match event that happened in the Real Madrid dressing room that is also transcendent. According to Martin, the Cristiano Ronaldo & Sergio Ramos post match performance was pre-planned & orchestrated. Both felt that it was time to speak out against what they perceive biased treatment in favour of FC Barcelona. When discussing all this in the dressing room one voice was not in agreement with the plan, that person was Iker Casillas Captain of Real Madrid. In a tense debate & also tense exchange of opinions the loser was Iker Casillas as the rest of the squad fell in behind Cristiano Ronaldo & Sergio Ramos. Coach Carlo Ancelotti took a neutral stance & wished to appear more diplomatic, although he later asked in press conference that it seemed strange.

What apparently happened in the Real Madrid dressing room post-match is significant, as it could be seen as “mutiny” & possibly worst, the confirmation of loss of influence & relevancy of the current Captain of Real Madrid Iker Casillas. There seems that a change in the “balance of power” has occurred with Ramos taking truly over as acting Captain & team spokesman along with another obvious “heavyweight” Cristiano Ronaldo. This last could well himself claim the Captaincy if not for the internal "protocols" of the Real Madrid team were "seniority" is a determining factor.

What could the above now mean for Iker Casillas? Apart from not playing in the Spanish League, his authority has now been questioned & his relevancy is slowly diluting as his non-participation continues. Everyone still remembers that it was Casillas that called up Spanish National team-mate & Barça player Xavi Hernandez to find the peace after a “pitch-battle” with Coach Jose Mourinho at the helm seasons back. Some Football observers comment that José Mourinho never forgave Casillas for admitting – by making the first move of contact – that the on-field aggressions were primarily motivated by Real Madrid.

With this new episode & incident, it may be the moment that Iker Casillas seriously contemplate that a move to a new Club could be the best for his career. It would seem clear that his hold on the Captaincy has little meaning for next season & if he is to be relegated to the dressing room “middle-class” a move at this moment would seem best so not be be humiliated.

Could we be witnessing the beginning of the end of Iker Casillas at Real Madrid? It is just a thought. As you already know, winning in Sport & Football changes everything.
Winning a title/s this season, or Champions League, would help wash away all the “shit” stuck on the dressing room floor, right?

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MANCHESTER CITY - ARSENAL FC SOUND OUT IKER CASILLAS

News locally & from overseas is mounting speculating about the future of Spanish International & Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The situation of the player with his Club is that the "regular" goalkeeper for Real Madrid is Diego Lopez who has been chosen by Coach Ancelotti to be the starting keeper in Spanish Liga. Iker Casillas has been given the keeper role in Champions League & the Spanish Cup, however these competitions are not regular as the weekly Spanish Football League competition.

This unusual situation for Iker Casillas has lead the Spanish International to consider perhaps moving on to find that regular playing position that a player of his stature looks for & needs to maintain himself at the elite level. Also the upcoming World Cup Finals in Brazil lurks in the forefront of the mind of Iker Casillas as his starting place with the Spanish Football National Team is also being questioned & not guaranteed.

Iker Casillas himself has let known in an indirect fashion & sometimes in a encrypted  manner, that leaving Real Madrid could be an option & the "rumour mill" locally sounds on a weekly basis. 

News out of England, concretely English paper "Daily Mirror" , has informed that intermediaries from Manchester City & Arsenal FC have began sounding out & have contacted the Real Madrid goalkeeper for a possible move. Manchester City has a "goalkeeper problem" with its regular keeper Hart sat on the bench after some terrible performances. Man City Coach Pellegrini ( ex Coach of Real Madrid ) knows well Casillas & considers that incorporating the Spanish International would give the keeper spot guarantees & security to tackle the rest of the season.

In both case, both Clubs would desire a fast incorporation, that is a transfer in the Winter Market window that opens the 1 st of  January 2014. The price would be high, no one has published the possible transfer fee but below 45-50M€ is not an option I believe.

I personally think that Iker Casillas will NOT move from Real Madrid this "Winter Market". Plus Iker Casillas would not be eligible to play Champions League for either Manchester City or Arsenal as he has already played Champions with Real Madrid. What I do believe is that if Casillas keeps playing "second fiddle" to Diego Lopez at the end of the season he may consider a summer transfer move, this is a possibility. Until then we will all be staying tuned & alert for further developments. 

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VICTOR VALDES - IKER CASILLAS CANDIDATES FIFA FIFPRO WORLD XI

The candidates in the Goalkeeping category have been released for the FIFA FIFPro World XI to be announced on the 13th of January 2014. Two Spanish Football Players are on the list, FC Barcelona Victor Valdes & Real Madrid Iker Casillas. 

The other three candidates are Neuer of Bayern Munich, Buffon of Juventus & Petr Chech of Chelsea FC.

The voters are all the World Football Professionals which are asked yearly to pick their choice of the Best player for the goalkeeping, defender, midfield & forward categories. From this list the World XI will be chosen & given their prize at the FIFA Golden Ball ( World Player ) Award ceremony.

The candidates for defenders, midfielders & forwards will be released respectively the 4th, 6th & 9th of December.
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¿SHOULD CASILLAS HAVE PLAYED OVER VALDES? | SPAIN NATIONAL TEAM

The question being debated locally is,  should Iker Casillas have started as the official goalkeeper in the Confederations Cup?

Many were surprised to see Iker Casillas as the starting goalkeeper against Uruguay. Many believe that after being sidelined 5 months that Victor Valdes was the more appropriate choice, he too having earned merit to have started.

The match performance of Iker Casillas against Uruguay was difficult to judge as Spain played so well that Casillas intervened very little. If Cavani would have managed to touch a set piece header it would have been a goal,  & the Luis Suarez free-kick goal was unstoppable & thus cannot be factored into any decision.

However, if one of the main principal reasons for a player to start is his form, Victor Valdes should have started. So why did Casillas play? This answer is deep inside the head of Coach Del Bosque & I can only speculate here. Doing so , there maybe a few reasons that may have pushed the balance the way of Casillas:

• Win back the players confidence: Casillas has lost confidence & doubt may have set into his play , thus this act by Del Bosque was a "personality builder". 
• Image cleanser. Casillas has won himself prestige & the title of "The Best Keeper in the World". Both have been seriously undermined & questioned under Jose Mourinho while at Real Madrid.
• Coherence. Coach Del Bosque has supported Casillas the last months saying that independently of his situation at Real Madrid he would be called up to the Spanish National Team for the Confederations Cup. Del Bosque has said in numerous occasions that he personally has faith in Casillas. 
• To prove wrong Jose Mourinho. Putting Casillas on against Uruguay showed that Iker was available & capable, against the ideas of a "critic" like Mourinho.
• Because Del Bosque is the Coach & he makes the decisions, thus does not need to justify to no one. 
• Send a messaje to the squad that Del Bosque is a man of his words & that if you do your job well he will defend you. 

All viable & very noble reasons for which Casillas should be eternally grateful to Vicent Del Bosque. In fact, if these are some of the factors, it shows the human qualities of Del Bosque that are admirable. 

All this is fine, but Sportingly it was risky. If the main objective is to defend the Spanish Teams prestige as "World & Euro Champions" & to go to Brazil to seriously attempt to win the Confederations Cup putting a player on below form & with "doubts" may have been a disaster. Luckily as I mentioned Spain played so well Casillas was not tested. But what about next time against Nigeria? Italy or Brazil if they meet?  

What about Victor Valdes? What about his prestige? The man has 5 "Zamora" titles ( Best goalkeeper of the Spanish League ), has played all season with Barça & is in top form. The brilliant performance of Valdes in the vital World Cup qualifier against France while Casillas was injured also deserves reward, right? How must Valdes feel deep inside? 

One Spanish Football commentator expressed that unlike Casillas when news came to his ears that Mourinho would not put him on in the last match of Liga, Casillas decided to ( this still isn´t 100% proven ) fake an injury & rub himself off;  Valdes on the overhand took the news of his sideline against Uruguay Sportingly , without "bad faces" & supported his team on the sidelines. 

I my opinion, Del Bosque made the wrong decision & should have put on Valdes. The FC Barcelona player simply is in better form, plus Casillas has not played a single match for the last 5 months. Admirable the human gestures of Coach Del Bosque towards the most capped Spanish International in history, Captain of the World Cup & two Euro Titles & living history of Spanish Football. But - my opinion - the team is way above individuals & their individual needs - & there is now "behind the back" comments of favouritism. The Spanish National Team is far greater than Iker Casillas & the best players in form should always play. Think about all those in the squad not starting? Mata, Silva, Javi Martinez, Jesus Navas, Torres, Santi Cazorla, Monreal ... what about them & their prestige?

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REAL MADRID POLITICS | JOSE MOURINHO TO LEAVE PRESIDENT FLORENTINO PEREZ TO STAY

Everything indicates that the "Mourinho era" at Real Madrid has come to its end. Scorched earth some claim, a created disaster area like a recently passed Hurricane. The "Special One" came to put back the glory back onto Real Madrid & will leave with only a Spanish Cup, Liga & Spanish SuperCup title. Not bad at all for any other Club, but not with Real Madrid that measures success with Champions Leagues titles, none with Mourinho, only three straight semi-finals. This can be debated elsewhere.

The Spanish Cup Final was the "last straw" for many, with a loss & thus a dry season of no titles, a "rude" non-appearance to pick up the runners-up plate in front of the King of Spain, a divided dressing room with player rebellions & a "media war", all further darkening the image of the Club again. I say again because there has been a long string of infamous acts in the last three years with "Mou" ( eye poking Barça Vilanova for example) that have blemished the Club & its History; all in the name of victories, knocking off FC Barcelona & attempting the desired 10th Champions League title. All was fair in war...but why not now?

Everyone blames Mourinho, but what about the Club President that hired him? That same Real Madrid President Florentino Perez that said publicly ..."Mourinho is the Best Coach in the World, a Coach that represents that values of Real Madrid months back? 

Today, local media speculate that the Club may actually announce the sacking of Mourinho this Monday or Tuesday. Others say that Mourinho will carry on until the last two Liga matches before announcing a mutual goodbye. Some players will pop Champagne corks along with their allied media partners which have worked so hard to "crush Mourinho", but again, what about the President of Real Madrid? Squeaky clean Florentino Perez , is about to face Club Presidential re-election without opponents. How is this possible under such "devastating" institutional Club turmoil?

Here is my humble theory.

Mourinho let known to President Florentino Perez early this year that he would leave. Both then made a "secret pact" of,  you rub my back & I´ll rub your back. President Florentino Perez with Presidential elections in June had to avoid at all costs being seen as the "bad guy" & thus "suggested" to Mourinho the he become his protective shield,  "the public bad guy" in case of a non title season. Accepting this role Real Madrid would facilitate the departure for Mourinho without much drama & if in the course Mourinho would have won a title,  better for him as he could leave with some pride & honour. Although the last was not possible Mourinho continues with his "Oscar performing role" to shield the President of Real Madrid Florentino Perez.

How do you become the bad guy overnight? How do you make things so to ease the decision to leave or even sacking? You turn against a local idiol, the Spanish International Captain & Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. This & add Cristiano Ronaldo in the equation who is the masthead of the Club & all the fans. Add the ingredients of some "non appearances" in front of a King , a red card to stay off the bench in coming games,  & you have a tsunami that has levelled the Club & the public claiming his head. Its simple.

The Iker Casillas affair will one day see the true light. There are rumours that Casillas was a "supergrass" to the press wanting to "destabilize"  his Coach which is unacceptable & unprofessional,  if this is true it is correct to punish & I would go further to say leave the Club. Plus the goalkeeper was failing in form so he needed to be motivated.  Cristiano Ronaldo gave two "shits" at the start of the season for Real Madrid with his "I am sad" comments as he - if correct as speculated - wished to leave the Club & go to Paris St Germain & thus had his head elsewhere which lowered his performance. Sergio Ramos was simply playing bad Football & was part of the blame in important defeats in Liga, the man needed a "serious call & notice". The local media which had been "rubbed up the wrong way" since the arrival of Mourinho now had the fuel needed to build an anti-Mourinho campaign & thus finally served their revenge. But is Mourinho really the blame for everything ? If Mourinho was so bad & damaging why did not the President of the Club take action earlier?

Mourinho will go & another Coach will arrive. If things goes well & important players are´nt messed with, everything OK, but if things go bad the players will again dictate the future & affairs of the Club. Yes, the players. Club Presidents as politicians work to stay in power & make sure that the "shit" flys off to hit others. Club Presidents are always "squeaky clean" & very popular.
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REAL MADRID | MOURINHO PREFERS LOPEZ OVER CASILLAS PLUS SLAMS PEPE

Explosive press conference given this mid-day by Real Madrid Coach José Mourinho. A press conference that has given media overkill material for headlines & speculation with special hammering for current Real Madrid Captain & goalkeeper Iker Casillas & defender Pepe, the latter who defended Casillas with comments after the last Liga match last weekend.

In a nutshell, Mourinho let known that he has no problem with Iker Casillas at all, simply that he likes more Diego Lopez as a goalkeeper & he makes the decision as Coach. Plus he sent a "shiver" down the spine of many players & media observers ( & perhaps the Club ) insinuating that he may actually stay at Real Madrid next season.

Here are some true gems ...selected Mourinho comments which I have translated to English. 

"Me planteo seguir y siempre jugará Diego López conmigo"
"I am thinking in staying,  & Diego Lopez always would play with me"

I think the "I am thinking of staying" is very ironic & sarcastic ( even humorous ) from Mourinho.

When asked about Pepe:
“Su problema tiene un nombre: Rafael Varane”.
"His problem has a name: Rafael Varane"

He later when on to say that the future defensive line of Real Madrid is Varane & Sergio Ramos.

Then he put the final boot in ( nail in the coffin ) for Pepe with:
"No es fácil para un hombre de 31 años, con status y un pasado, ser atropellado por un niño de 19 años".
"It is not easy for a man (player) of 31, with status and a past, be "run-over" by a 19 year old boy" (Varane)

Devastating for Pepe , & just as nightmarish for Iker Casillas.

Mourinho maybe "bluffing" that he will stay at Real Madrid next season as a tactic to stop players speaking out in public before the important Spanish Cup Final against Atletico de Madrid on Friday 17 May. Or not!

Either way we are in for some exciting & explosive stuff in coming days & weeks.

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REAL MADRID | WILL IKER CASILLAS REGAIN HIS GOALKEEPING PLACE ?

Diego Lopez is the current goalkeeper of Real Madrid CF. Born & raised in the "White House" the keeper had to find our pastures to gaze ( ...Villareal, Malaga FC ) in order to practice his profession. One of the reasons for his departure is due to the man that he is now replacing Iker Casillas,  Spanish National Team & Real Madrid Captain. 

The hand injury to the latter which required surgery has sidelined Casillas for up to 8 weeks. With this situation Real Madrid signed a another goalkeeper to fill the position knowing that important & vital Spanish Cup & Champions League matches were on the upcoming schedule.

The Club restored to Diego Lopez, also Spanish International & at Malaga FC where he was not getting the playing time one would expect for a player of his caliber. The Club needed a profile that would adapt quickly to the team & the Club as an institution, who better that Diego Lopez under the circumstances.

After the initial games, Lopez has shown again his abilities & skills being pivotal in the FC Barcelona games ( Spanish Cup & Liga ) & Manchester United clashes. In fact only 4 goals had gone through his "hands" in said encounters, but with more than half a dozen match winning saves. His Coach Jose Mourinho poured praises over his goalkeeper after the Manchester United Champions League match & this signals that Lopez has lived up to/ his expectations. 

This raises the question, a "serious" question. What happens when Iker Casillas recovers?

At this point there is no justifiable reason to replace Diego Lopez, that is, Iker Casillas would be the second goalkeeper. This is exactly what Coach José Mourinho wanted to create, serious competition for the goalkeeping spot as he felt that Iker Casillas was "unconsciously" resting on his "laurels" . This season Casillas has received more criticism than usual for lapses, fixed play mistakes & perhaps not following the Mourinho line of thought. The relationship between the Real Madrid Captain & José Mourinho is said to be strained-tense & that Casillas was a suspected  "supergrass" of the press on dressing-room matters. What now?

I personally think that if Diego Lopez continues this line & in growing form that it will be difficult to see Iker Casillas win back his place this season barring injury to Lopez. The last Tuesday night exhibition by Diego Lopez against Manchester United not only consolidated his position as Real Madrid goalkeeper it has also lifted him psychologically & given him a push in self-esteem perhaps lacking before due to his few minutes at Malaga FC. Diego Lopez has already won his place with his saves & efforts for the Spanish Cup Final & if Real Madrid continue onto the Final of the Champions League objectively & morally Lopez will have solid arguments.

This raises another issue, can Spanish Football National Team Coach Del Bosque justify calling up & placing as goalkeeper Iker Casillas if he isn´t playing? If this does occur we will have another debate, intense in itself & with some possible ramifications for Iker Casillas.

Interesting & changing times ahead  as always at Real Madrid & Spanish Football.

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SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM | 100 CAPS CLUB

The match between SPAIN & URUGUAY yesterday was more than just a Friendly International for Spanish Football Player CARLES PUYOL. It was the night he joined an elite group of Spanish Football Players that have reached the 100th International Cap mark. The FC Barcelona Captain has already been showered with praises - & rightly so - for his personality, contribution & dedication to the Spanish National Football Team. The information piece is that he joins 6 more Spanish Football Players to become the 7th & to let you now who are all those other players.

Puyol : courtesy reuters

1 Iker Casillas 2000– 143 International Caps
2 Andoni Zubizarreta 1985–1998 126
3 Xavi Hernández 2000– 119
4 Xabi Alonso 2003– 106
5 Raúl González 1996–2006 102
6 Fernando Torres 2003– 101
7 Carles Puyol 2000– 100

Real Madrid goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS is the most Internationally Capped Spanish Player in the History of the National Football Team. He currently holds an amazing 143 Caps & will keep accumulating more in coming years. The others are household names & as we can see Puyol is the "new boy" of the list.

Just outside this elite group is Real Madrid defender SERGIO RAMOS who is currently sitting 8th place with 99 caps. He will soon the the 8th Spanish Football Player to join the 100 Club.

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REAL MADRID SIGNS SEVILLA FC GOALIE DIEGO LOPEZ

The hand injury to REAL MADRID Spanish International Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS comes at the worst moment for the player & Club as it faces the complicated Champions League & Spanish Cup phases. The worst news however is that the hand fracture could leave out Casillas for up to three months.

Real Madrid has acted rapidly to fill the gap & has signed SEVILLA FC Goalkeeper DIEGO LOPEZ for 3,5M€. The goalkeeper is a Spanish International & was a key element during the glory years of Villareal before going over to Sevilla FC.

Diego Lopez returns home in a way as he began his Football career as a youngster in the Real Madrid junior levels. This may have been a factor in the signing decision, apart from the fact that Lopez is a very experienced & quality player that can help Real Madrid face the difficult rest of the season with more confidence.

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IFFHS | CASILLAS 2 º BEST GOALKEEPER THE LAST 25 YEARS

Spanish International & REAL MADRID Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS has been voted in recent years as the "Best Goalkeeper in World Football". However if we extend the time period to the last 25 years the Spanish Football Player falls to the second position. Italian International & current JUVENTUS goalkeeper GIANLUIGI BUFFON takes the Nº 1 spot by just 13 points.

This has been announced by the FIFA  backed "International Federation of Football History & Statistics" (IFFHS). Other Spaniards in the Top 15 list are ANDONI ZUBIZARRETA in shared 8th position & current FC Barcelona keeper VICTOR VALDES.

Top 15 Goalkeepers in World Football in the last 25 years:

1. G. Buffon (ITA) 226 pts

2. Iker Casillas (SP) 213

3. Edwin van der Sar (HOL) 201

4. Peter Schmeichel (DEN) 179

5. Oliver Kahn (GER) 162

6. Petr Cech (CZE) 154

7. J.L. Chilavert (PAR) 146

8. Walter Zenga (ITA) 132

.-. A. Zubizarreta (SP) 132

10. Claudio Taffarel (BRA) 130

11. M. Preud'homme (BEL) 124

12. Fabien Barthez (FRA) 115

13. David Seaman (ENG) 114

14. Dida (BRA) 109

15. Vítor Baía (POR) 94

16. Gianluca Pagliuca (ITA) 90

17. Francesco Toldo (ITA) 82

.-. Víctor Valdés (SP) 82

19. Jens Lehmann (GER) 81

20. Júlio César (BRA) 76.

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