It’s international week again and true to form the Spanish sports press have been leading not on the decisive qualifiers against Sweden and Northern Ireland, but on a Real Madrid transfer story — the reported 40 million-euro offer from Juande Ramos’s Tottenham for goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Casillas knocked the rumour down in his usual plain-spoken manner:
“Why would I leave a club I have played for since I was eight years old and when I’ve got five years left on my contract? Why would I leave if I’ve got my friends and family here and I play for Real Madrid?”
Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster made it clear where he stood on the matter too, saying: ”He’s the best keeper in the world. He’ll be at Real Madrid for many years to come.”
Casillas has won two European Cups and three Spanish titles since he broke into the first team as an 18-year-old. He is the undisputed number one in Spain, having won over 70 caps for the national side and he is still only 26. He also has (probably) the most valuable hands in the game.
But is Schuster right about him being the best in the world? Who would you say is better? Give us your thoughts in the comments section and please pop over to the soccer site and vote in our poll as well.
PHOTO: Casillas celebrates a Real Madrid goal against Olympiakos in the Champions League, October 24, 2007. REUTERS/Andrea Comas
Trackback
32 comments so far
Previous | 2 | 1 | Next
Nino, I’d certainly agree with you on the basis of the last few games. Against Zaragoza in particular he looked almost superhuman.
- Posted by Kevin FylanOf course Iker Casillas is the best in the world. Besides his unrivaled credentials and young age, he has the quickest reflexes in the game. I’m a Real Madrid fan, and during the last 4 seasons of defensive frailty, he has single-handly kept Real in the Champion’s league contention. Were it not for him, Real would’ve surely finished in 4th or 5th place, rather than 1st or 2nd in recent years. Just watch any game. He does it every game.
- Posted by Nino The Godbest goal keeper of all time is OLIVER KAHN!!
- Posted by timhe waz jst incredible and almost won fifa world player of the year (runner up 2 ronaldo 2002)
he also won best player in world cup. nobody has every been better than him and nobody ever will… well maybe chec in afew years lol
Hey,Casillas & Buffon are among the best in the world rite now,Its gud to see that goalkeepers too get some credit,kinda unfair that the FIFA world player of the year generally goes to forwards & midfielders,
To me Oliver Kahn is and will always remain the best…Sad that he’s retiring this season though..
- Posted by Pradcasillas is very good. tho’ i am a barca fan i think including valdes in this list is a joke! he is not consistent. to my mind and analysis buffon is currently the no 1 keeper(has been for quite some time). cech and cassilas would come in second followed by reina.
- Posted by hakimnamai think that iker casillas is one of the best in the world if not the best!he got excellent reflexes and he has saved his team and the national team many times.if it weren’t for him realmadrid might have not won last year because there was a time when no one else but him was playing well on the pitch!
- Posted by rashahe is short compared to other keepers but he still manage to rise really high and stop a ball out of nowhere!!
I have seen Casillas several times on tv and I can say for sure he absolutely can’t beat Buffon, who is definitely number one in the world. Dida has recently had an awful moment here in Italy. As an Inter football fan, I also suggest Julio Cesar as one of the best goalkeepers at the moment, but Buffon is still miles ahead.
- Posted by AnnaI think Casillas is best goalie currently.
I would rank this way.
1. Casillas (rarely concedes freekicks without diflection, quick to to respond on repounds, comes forword on one-one situations.
2. Buffon (good at punches, tricky balls)
3.Petr Cech (Shots stopper)
4. Dida (he is tall then he is every where, though not quick on rebounds)
5.Van der Ser/ Reina ( both good at the penalties)
- Posted by shakaBack in the days when Real Madrid was all conquering, Casillas is a key factor to their dominance.
But in recent years, I will rate him just behind behind Petr Cech and Buffon for the best goalkeeper nomination.
- Posted by JohnSTHey you - Shay given no! Casillas hakuna! Best keeper in the world is Buffon! Sneaky crafty italians but they have the best keeper in the world
- Posted by AndrewBest Keeper in the world, not Shay Given, Casillas doesn’t even come close — Buffon is my choice! Itaians, sneaky crafty fellows, but they have the best keeper! Aye Aye
- Posted by AndrewReina is the best keeper in the world at the moment. Fantastic shot stopper, he just stands up makes himself big and doesn’t go to ground. Great at saving penaltys. Finally his distribution is 2nd to none, an example of this is the pass he made to Torres against Fulham where Torres went on to score.
- Posted by Paul