Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Iker Casillas is La Liga's first icon!

The Spanish goalkeeper was presented in Madrid by La Liga president Javier Tebas and former teammates Fernando Sanz and Fernando Morientes.

Iker Casillas

Madrid, March 21: Iker Casillas has become the first "La Liga icon," a La Liga initiative to continue growing worldwide driven by the popularity of players like the Real Madrid legend.

La Liga icons is a very private club made only for the best players to ever play in Spain

The Spanish goalkeeper was presented the honour in Madrid by La Liga President Javier Tebas in presence of his former team-mates Fernando Sanz and Fernando Morientes.

"This is a big step forward for us. Iker is a player with a huge number of followers of social media, some 45 million, and this is really important for us. He'll also be the first sportsman to broadcast LaLiga matches outside of Spain," said Tebas.

Casillas added that he feels "a great responsibility" as his name "will be linked to a great brand and represent all the people behind La Liga."

Great responsibility

Great responsibility

Casillas added that he feels "a great responsibility" as his name "will be linked to a great brand and represent all the people behind La Liga."

Also in attendance at the presentation gala held at the iconic Callao cinemas in the Spanish capital were Sanz, who is Director of the La Liga Ambassadors program and La Liga's MENA office, Morientes, a former team-mate at Real and now a La Liga Ambassador and world champion figure skater Javier Fernandez.

Extends Porto contract

Extends Porto contract

Meanwhile, Casillas extended his FC Porto contract that will keep him with the Portuguese club till at least 2020.

The 37-year-old, has made 149 appearances for Porto since his move from Real in 2015 and also won the Primeira Liga title last season.

Special day

Special day

The Spaniard has made no secret of his desire to retire at 40 and at the age of 37, it brings him closer to achieving that goal.

"For me, it's a special day because I feel at home and it's obvious that goalkeepers can extend their career despite their age and my commitment remains at 100 per cent," he said after inking the deal.

Incredible career

Incredible career

Casillas spent 25 years at Real before his move to the Portuguese giants. During his tenure at the club, Casillas won everything there is to win in the game.

After his incredible career at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casillas is enjoying his time out at Porto, where he is currently getting ready to face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

Story first published: Thursday, March 21, 2019, 10:10 [IST]
Other articles published on Mar 21, 2019