Iker Casillas Fernández was born on May 20, 1981 in one of the districts of Madrid. It is noteworthy that on the same date but a year later another famous modern goalkeeper was born – Petr Cech. This player is a record holder of the Spain national team in the number of caps. He managed to win a number of various trophies and become one of the most influential modern goalkeepers.
Casillas is one of the few footballers who have played at a single club throughout his entire career. As he was born in Madrid he attended Real Madrid football academy. He was spotted already at eight years and was offered to play football professionally. The UEFA Champions League final of 1999/2000 was the goalkeeper’s time to shine when he substituted the injured main goalkeeper of Real Madrid and managed to keep a clean sheet.
In another UEFA Champions League final he substituted the main goalkeeper and having made a number of great saves helped his team win. From that day on, Iker Casillas has been some sort of the club’s symbol and regularly comes out on the pitch as the main goalkeeper and club’s captain. Same holds true for national team performances. Having received a chance to defend the Spain national team’s goal at the FIFA World Cup 2002 due to Canizares’ injury Iker showed his true worth and became a hero in the penalty shootout. Today even brilliant display by Pepe Reina does not allow him to oust a more mature and experienced Casillas from the Spain’s goal.
Throughout his career Iker won quite a number of trophies among which there are the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup gold medals as well as awards to the best goalkeeper of Europe and the World over several years.
Iker’s native city now has an avenue named after him that was introduced at the beginning of 2012. The player also starred in a film where he played himself.
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