Kuba via Facebook

And you know, he sat there alone, no one from Real Madrid was there with him. Yes, the players are all on the plane to Australia, but no one from the administration sat with him. He came into the club alone 25 years ago, and he’s leaving alone.

When we play our first game back in the Bernabeu, Iker won’t be there. When we play our first game in the Champions League, Iker won’t be there. When we take our team photo Iker won’t be there. At the next El Clasico, Iker won’t be there. When eventually Real Madrid wins another trophy, Iker won’t be there to kiss Cibeles. He won’t be there at all. When there are hard fought games, when there are heartbreaking losses, when there are difficult times, when there are player squabbles and arguments, Iker won’t be there to carry the team with grace and dignity. 25 years…and his goodbye is the equivalent to a brief social media post. May this club lie in the poison it let seep in.

Iker Casillas and Real Madrid are one and the same thing. Gracias Iker.

“I won’t say goodbye because we shall meet here again soon.“

Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas reacts as he gives a press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on July 12, 2015.

Iker Casillas cries during his farewell press conference | July 12, 2015 - full video (alt 1 | alt 2) | letter | transcript These were his last words as a Real Madrid player: “First of all, I want to thank all of you for being here in such a especial day. I have come to this great stadium to say good-bye to all of you and, more importantly, to all madridistas. Since yesterday, I am no longer a Real Madrid player, as I am set to join FC Porto. I have made this decision because of the great illusion that their president, staff and coach have expressed about my signing for them, and the great signs of affection I have received from their fans since the rumors came out. I hope I will not disappoint their fans and will be able to lift a big number of trophies with them. I wish to speak to all madridistas now, after having spent twenty-five years in the biggest club in the world. It is a tough day for me, because I am saying good-bye to a great institution. It seems like yesterday, when I was nine years old, when I first wore Real Madrid T-shirt and made my dream come true. All this time I have suffered, laughed and cried to defend this club, but I have always felt supported by my partners and the fans. This club has made me what I am now, as it has helped me to grow with the principles of respect, fellowship and humility, and I have always tried to show them.  I want to pay a tribute to all my partners, whom I have lived unique moments with, as we have grown to be great friends, even family. Also to all my coaches and their staffs, since all of them have taught me valuable things and have given me great advice, and also for their friendship, their experience and their professionalism. I also wish to thank Real Madrid staff, as they are an essential part of what we do every day, my parents and my family, who have always supported me, and my wife and son who will always come with me and give me their unconditional support. Finally, I want to thank all madridistas all around the world, those who have embraced me as their captain in the last five years. I have always said that I want to be reminded not only as a good or bad goalkeeper, but, more importantly, as a good person. I want to thank all of you for your support and tell you that I will never forget you. Wherever I go, I will keep shouting “¡Hala Madrid! I won’t say goodbye because we shall meet here again soon.”.

Iker Casillas’ mom to El Mundo (via sergioramo-s)

Iker Casillas trophy cabinet with Real Madrid

Individually 

Info sources : x, x, x, x

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