Iker Casillas Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Early Years And Education

Iker Casillas  was born 20th May 1981, to Jose Casillas, and Maria del Carmen Fernandez Gonzalez. Iker Casillas was born in Mostoles, Spain. His father worked for the Ministry of Education, his mother was a hairdresser. Iker Casillas also has a younger brother named Unai.

Iker Casillas entered Real Madrid’s youth system in 1990. In 1997, at the age of 16, although still a junior, he was called up to the senior squad. Iker Casillas sat on the bench for the game. Iker Casillas then spent a season with the C-team, and after they won their regional group, in 1999 Iker Casillas played in the UEFA Champions League. At 18 years of age, Iker Casillas was the youngest goalkeeper to have ever played in the competition.

Iker Casillas was also playing on an international level as a youth. Iker Casillas was 16 years old when Iker Casillas competed for Spain in the 1997 FIFA Under 17 World Championship. They came third, but two years later Iker Casillas would win the FIFA World Youth Championship and the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup.

In 2000, a few days after his 19th birthday, Iker Casillas became the youngest goalkeeper ever to win a Champions League final.

Career

Iker Casillas played with Real Madrid until July 2015.

In 2001-02, due to poor performances, Iker Casillas lost his place in the team. When his replacement went down with an injury in the 2002 finals, Iker Casillas was recalled, and helped his team win.

In the 2007-08 season, Iker Casillas helped Real Madrid win their 31st La Liga title. Iker Casillas was awarded a contract for life in February 2008.

At 27 years of age, Iker Casillas became Real Madrid’s most-capped goalkeeper of all time. There was interest from several Premier League clubs including Manchester United, but the clubs concerned denied their interest, and Iker Casillas said he would never leave Real Madrid.

Iker Casillas was chosen as the captain for the 2010 season, and then in 2011, Iker Casillas won the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper award.

In December 2012, Iker Casillas was dropped by his coach. It was the beginning of several disagreements the pair would have. In 2013, a new coach took over Real Madrid. Iker Casillas was benched again.

Although Iker Casillas was the second-choice keeper in La Liga, he was the first-choice keeper in the Champions League, and he continued to break records. In 2014, Iker Casillas was the captain of Real Madrid when they won the Champions League title. The following season saw him become the club’s first-choice keeper once again.

In December 2014, Iker Casillas played his 700th game for Real Madrid, winning the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup Final.

Change Of Clubs

In July 2015, Iker Casillas signed a contract with Porto, to play in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Over the ensuing seasons, Iker Casillas performed well for Porto, and in May 2018, Iker Casillas renewed his two-year contract for a third year.

International Competition

Iker Casillas has competed internationally on a senior level for Spain, since 2000.

His has competed in the UEFA Euro Cups, and FIFA World Cups. In 2010, Iker Casillas was captain of the Spanish team when they won their first ever World Cup.

Sporting Sponsorship

In 2012, Iker Casillas did a deal with Adidas to wear their goalkeeping gloves and football boots. Prior to that he had been associated with Reebok for eight years.

Awards And Honors

Iker Casillas has many awards and honors. He has won two FIFA World Cup titles, and 20 league titles. He has won over 30 individual awards, and he has set over 20 records.

Personal

Iker Casillas met Sara Carbonero, a sports journalist, in 2009. The couple have two children, and they married in 2016.

Charitable Works

Iker Casillas has established his own foundation called the Fundacion Iker Casillas. He was also appointed to the position of Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program, Millennium Development Goals.