Reluctant saint Casillas keeps danger at door
Reuters - Saturday 10 July 2010, 14:03
POTCHEFSTROOM - Iker
Casillas does not approve of his nickname "Saint Iker" although
his often miraculous saves for club and country have earned him
the adoration of fans and team mates alike.
The 29-year-old Spain captain has already played 110 times
for his country, just 16 short of the all-time record held by
fellow keeper Andoni Zubizarreta, leading the team to glory at
Euro 2008 and to the brink of a first World Cup triumph.
Previously seen as underachievers in major tournaments, the
Spanish had to wait 44 years to break their trophyless run by
beating Germany 1-0 to claim their second European title in
Vienna in 2008.
In the quarter-finals against world champions Italy,
Casillas was credited with engineering what has come to be
viewed as a turning point in the nation's footballing fortunes.
When the match went to penalties after a 0-0 draw over 120
minutes, many back at home feared another bitter disappointment
against a long-standing foe.
But Casillas saved penalties from Daniele De Rossi and
Antonio Di Natale and the riotous celebrations were on a par
with what can be expected on Sunday if Spain beat Netherlands at
Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.
UNDER FORM
Coming into the World Cup, Casillas had been under fire for
his sometimes patchy form for Real Madrid last season but made
another crucial penalty save in last week's quarter-final
against Paraguay.
The way his team-mates sprinted across the pitch to
celebrate with him at the final whistle was proof of the respect
and affection in which he is held.
"I believe I have had good fortune in the football world,"
Casillas said this week, adding that he had learned a great deal
from former Spain captains Fernando Hierro, now sporting
director, and Raul, also Real Madrid men.
"I have absorbed the best of each of them and now it's my
turn as I am the veteran," he added. "I try to transmit (to the
younger players) what I have learned."
Casillas presides over a squad that is shorn of outsized
egos and in which the emphasis is on teamwork, collective
responsibility and harmonious relations.
The players rallied round him when questions were raised
about his focus due to his relationship with glamorous Spanish
television reporter Sara Carbonero, who is covering the World
Cup in South Africa for Telecinco.
"It annoys me that the sporting press does not judge me for
whether I save a ball, or clear it or if I do something badly,"
Casillas said.
"I have never pried into the private life of anyone. I
understand criticism, good or bad, as long as it is expressed
with respect."
Asked what advice he would give aspiring footballers, he
said: "Don't obsess about getting into the top division or being
a super-important player.
"The important thing is to work with consistency each season
and then things will come together when you least expect it."
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