Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa has confirmed news that legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ will hang up his gloves. Porto president Pinto da Costa revealed that Casillas had early discussed with him his plans on retiring from professional football.
The 38-year-old goalkeeper has said he would be moving on from playing professional football in order to focus on plans to contest to become the next president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
”I was very happy. Casillas had an attitude that touched me a lot, because before announcing the candidacy he made a point of coming to Porto to have lunch with me to communicate that he would make that decision and end his career” Pinto said.
”He has a great career, in which he has only been in two clubs and we know he has both at heart” Pinto added.
Casillas suffered a heart attack in training last year May and has not played since then. Since the attack, he has been the liaison between the board of directors at Porto and the first-team squad.
Taking to Twitter earlier this week, the Spaniard and World Cup winner confirmed his intentions to contest the presidency against Luis Rubiales by saying:
”Yes, I will stand for presidency of the Spanish FA when elections are called. Together we will put our federation at the top alongside the best football in the world: Spanish football.”
”I’ve informed the president of my club FC Porto of the decision and I want to express my deepest gratitude.”
”We’re working on our candidacy with the highest respect. More than 23,000 voters await us in fair and transparent elections as 139 assembly members will make the key decision. Thanks for all the support and good wishes. Let’s go for it!”
The legendary goalkeeper was born and grew up in Spain where he spent most of his career with Real Madrid. During his spell at the La Liga giants, the keeper won three UEFA Champions League, five La Liga titles, and two Copa del Rey titles. The keeper also helped lead Spain to glory by winning three major tournaments, Euro 2008, Euro 2012, and the 2010 World Cup.
