By ND Prashant/Doha
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Any questions on the outgoing Real Madrid coach Jose Mourihno was a strict No! No! Ahead of the press briefing to announce the tie-up between Spanish football captain Iker Casillas Foundation and Aspire Academy for goalkeepers’ specific training project. And the English and Arabic media quickly reverted in unison – Why not?
“Casillas is here for a cause and he would like to stick to that. Moreover, his agent has also asked us not to ask him anything on Mourinho,” an organiser shot back.
Whatever may be the case, it was enough for every one to gauge that the renowned Spanish custodian was in no mood to dwell on the agony of warming the Real Madrid bench.
Casillas has been sidelined at Real since returning from a broken hand after he fell out with coach Mourinho. A decision that has angered many Real fans but Mourinho has maintained Casillas didn’t fit in his scheme of things ‘purely because of sporting reasons’.
However, Spain’s national coach Vicente del Bosque’s announcement of having ‘faith in his captain’ has served a new lease of life for the experienced custodian and he too, was quick to acknowledge that.
“After being out for four months, I’m happy to be called by coach Bosque for the national team. He has given me the much needed confidence and I now feel like a 19-yr-old,” said Casillas, who has been included in the preliminary squad of 26 announced by Bosque on Monday for the Confederations Cup, which also includes Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.
“I’m very much looking forward to the challenge and I’m keen to do well for the national side,” added Casillas, who turned 32 last week.
With Mourinho poised to leave Real after what he himself termed it as ‘disastrous season and his worst ever’ as a coach, Casillas’ expulsion from Real might also be over soon.
Real’s arch rivals Barcelona has already started to boost their arsenal for the next season by including Brazilian gifted striker Naymer. However, Casillas felt it was not a matter of concern for his team Real.
“I think every team in Spain makes a strong opponent. Barcelona has always been a tough team all though these years. They were strong last season as well and despite that, we managed to do well against them. Messi and Naymer are good players and they will be an impressive duo upfront but we will be ready for the challenge,” said Casillas, who joined Real’s academy 23 years ago and has been a regular under the bar for Real and Spain for more than a decade.
The dual job of manning the citadel and to lead the team simultaneously can be a test of fire but not for Casillas. He attributes his success to hard work and stressed on the need to have a cool head over one’s shoulders.
“All the credit goes to the hours and hours of practice. The more you practice, the better and better you get. Come what may, I make it a point to put in at least two hours a day. Your physical condition has to always be at the peak,” said Casillas, whose list of domestic trophies includes two Champions League crowns, five La Liga titles and one King’s Cup.
“Fitness and training are the important components for success. I have been the best goalkeeper for five years and to achieve that you have to be strong mentally. I’m 32 but I still have the ambition to learn more. Most importantly, one has to remain calm and composed,” explained Casillas, who has also led Spain as they became the first nation to win back-to-back European Championships and a World Cup.
Casillas Foundation’s association with Aspire is currently for three years and each year, he would conduct an intense goalkeeping training programme with some of the elite goalkeepers of Aspire and Qatari Clubs.
“I would like to achieve the dream of contributing to the development of football and so I’m happy to be here. I would like the present and future goalkeepers from Qatar to excel in goalkeeping.
“We have set up a goal by joining hands and that is to produce excellent goalkeepers. I’m confident of achieving that goal,” asserted Casillas, who was ‘happy’ to see Qatar football gain resurgence in World football.
“Qatari football started to get recognition ever since Pep Guardiola came here. We started to look towards Qatar and many players from Spain have come and played here.
“You now have one of the big names from Spain playing here – Raul. His presence is indeed a big boost for Qatari football,” said Casillas, who will be flying out to Miami as part of his Spanish national squad to play two friendly matches on June 4 in preparation for the Confederations Cup in Brazil, this June.
Aspire Academy director general, Ivan Bravo speaking about the association with Casillas Foundation said, “The Aspire Academy is delighted to partner with one of the best football players in the world, a goalkeeper who has achieved and performed both, with club and national team at levels not seen before.
“For sure the Academy’s goalkeepers and other from across the Qatari Clubs will be able to learn a lot from his experience and leadership lessons with Spain’s national team and Real Madrid,” said Bravo.
KEEN TO IMPRESS: Iker Casillas
