We Cry With You Casillas

He lived up to his title of San Casillas. The wings flapped out and the hands blessed by the gods of football blocked countless missiles fired from the ‘Reds’. However, with all his heart and might he could not stop the four goals that were shot passed him. It is a pity that our phenomenal keeper would have to walk out of Anfield the way that he did, with frustration and tears.

He was the only one who was at the height of this match, the only one who left everything on the field, and the only one who represented the badge with honor and dignity.  Every other player dressed in white has made a mockery of the Madridismo and what was displayed last night was unforgivable. An utterly atrocious performance and for the fifth  consecutive year the European dream is cut prematurely.  They left a poor and sorry image in Europe once again, but this defeat has to be one of the most degrading  defeats I have ever witnessed. One thing is to loose with our credibility in tact, but another is to not fight and be humiliated in such an outrageous manner. The only one that came out of Anfield with his credibility and the respect of the fans is Iker Casillas. He is one of the few players that truly feels the colors of this club and his tears are evidence of that. 

Grande Iker!!! Es el orgullo del Madridismo!!!

 

*The wound is still fresh but it must be said, Liverpool played stunning football and really did school Madrid on how a Champions League match is played. They were a flawless machine from head to toe that wanted it more from the first minute till the very last dying seconds. Hats off to Benitez and his boys.

Above Everyone Else

Just another demonstration of their superiority against any rival. La Furia are like Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona where it seems that there is no rival that can match and beat the exquisite touch football that Spain are displaying. This is associated football at its purest form. From top to bottom they are perfection and no team can compare. Capello’s England should be thankful that at least they were able  to see the beauty of Spain’s football up close and personal. England may have invented the game but Spain are taking it to another level. Some are calling Spain the Brazil of Europe, but at the current moment I think Brazil can take a page or two from La Furia’s style of play.

Highlights:

• Spain continues to taste sweet victory for the 126th straight time
• Iker only 27 years old reaches Hierro with 89 caps. There is no removing his mark from Spanish history books.
• Fernando Llorente scores his first goal wearing the red. Moments later he would limp off the field with an injury.
• David Villa opened the way for Spain by scoring against England, which makes him the first Spanish player to score in six consecutive matches.
• David Beckham also makes history with England by making his 108th appearance reaching the same numbers of the eternal Booby Moore.

Note: Brazil against Italy delivered an impressive performance with the City boys Elano and Robinho giving the Italians a major headache. The way Robinho broke the spines of the Italian defense with his mind numbing dribbling inside the box was tremendous. To watch him play with Brazil it makes me wonder who lost more Real Madrid or Robinho with his transfer to City? On another note, the Azzuri’s performance was horrendous, but come the Confederations Cup I am certain that the Italians will be in tip top shape. I never  let my guard down with Italy.

Casillas is the King

What we already knew was confirmed by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) that Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world. Selected editorial staffs and experts from 85 countries from all over the world voted Casillas as the number one with 249 points ahead of 2nd place Gianluigi Buffon with 170 points (clearly a wide margin). After winning two leagues single handedly with Real Madrid and then conquering Europe as the Spanish Captian there was no one better than Saint Casillas. However, I do not need of the IFFHS to tell me that Iker is the best in his postion, for it was something I knew all along. The native son will always be number one in our hearts.

*Here is the IFFHS top 10:

1. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid/Spain) 249 pts.
2. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus/Italy) 170.
3. Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United/Holand) 143.
4. Petr Cech (Chelsea/Chech Republic) 108.
5. Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscú/Russia) 23.
6. José Francisco Cevallos (LDU de Quito/Ecuador) 21.
7. Julio César (Inter  Milán/Brazil) 18.
8. José Manuel Reina (Liverpool/Spain) 15.
9. Jens Lehmann (Stuttgart/Germany) 13.
10. Justo Villar (Valladolid Deportivo/Paraguay) 12

Reasons Why Iker Deserves the Balon d’Or

Real Madrid in their official website have posted reasons why Iker Casillas should win the balon d’or and even though it is objective and or subjective, I do think that a player like Casillas is worthy of such a recognition (but my view is also distorted as I am a madridista). 

Here are the reasons:

 1. He had a tremendously successful year:
Champion of Europe and champion of Spain. The Balon d’Or recognizes a player’s performance between January and December, during which Casillas won La Liga and the Euro and conceded the fewest goals in each.

2. He has an amazing track record:
Only 27 years old, Iker has already won four league titles, two European Cups, two Spanish Super Cups, one European Super Cup, and now, one European Championship. In 2000 he earned Bravo Trophy honors as the best young player in Europe, only after winning the European Championship with Spain’s Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 squads.

3. His flawless technique: 
Agility, reflexes, one-on-one dominance, sure-handed down low, sure-handed up high. His technique is simply flawless. He reaches balls no one else can. He moves like none other and is always a step ahead. His saves translate into countless points for his team.

4. His stats:
Casillas has already been capped 82 times, only bested by Fernando Hierro -89-, Raúl -102-, and Zubizarreta -126-. He’s played 427 matches for Real Madrid; 311 in La Liga, 16 in Copa del Rey action, 88 in the Champions League, and 12 in other competitions.

5. The symbol of a generation:
A new Spain packed with Champions. Modern, brave, and proud. A generation of athletes born in the 80’s who astonish both home and abroad. Iker has become a pillar of Madridismo and the club with the world’s largest fanbase. His human touch, his transparency. A simple, humble, and down to earth guy.

6. He’s a leader:
Whether it’s by barking orders to his defenders or by standing up in the dressing room, Iker has always been a top dog. He’s a leader within the club and a reference point for fans. And let’s not forget captain of the 2008 European champions.

7. He’s a product of the academy:
The Quinta del Buitre took shape within the Sports City, and rarely have we seen similar cases since. Players who stay put are a rare breed. Raúl and Guti at Real Madrid. Totti at Roma, Scholes, Neville, and Giggs at Manchester. They are examples of commitment and pride. Iker has become a role model for Real Madrid’s youth system.

8. Recognition of a championship:
Tradition dictates that those who step up in summer competitions are recognized by France Football come December. Such was the case for Cannavaro in 2006, Ronaldo in 2002, Zidane in 1998, Sammer in 1996, Mattäus in 1990, and so on. So now it’s Casillas’ turn, not just for his performance against Italy, but because of his perfect Euro during which he conceded just one goal in five matches.

9. History says so:
Ever since Lev Yashin won the award in 1963, no other goalkeeper has been recognized as Europe’s best footballer. Oliver Kahn came close in 2001 and 2002, and Gianluigi Buffon in 2006, but this award is mainly given to forwards, and midfielders, and rarely to defenders and goalkeepers.

10. He’s more than just an athlete:
Realizing what they represent, many footballers take advantage of their privileged situation to help those in need, and Casillas is always on the front line. He’s joined forces in the battle against malaria in Sierra Leon and several months ago with Rafa Nadal organized a benefit match whose proceeds were donated to this ongoing struggle. Iker is also an active partner of the Real Madrid Foundation.

And one last reason… He’s the best.

Once again these views are subjective but there is no denying that Iker has had a phenomenal year. Iker is a complete package as a player and as a person. This list covers just half of the great qualities of San Casillas. This year there is probably just one other person that is in the running to win the Balon d’Or, which would be Ronaldo, who had a great year as well. However, in my opinion, Cristiano is far behind Iker in every aspect.

*Real Madrid would like to hear your opinion and your reasons why Casillas deserves this award. Email them and show your support for Iker: CASILLASBALONDEORO@CORP.REALMADRID.COM

In San Iker We Trust

After 24 years of not getting passed the quarter finals it was time that Spain ended the quarter final curse that doomed them tournament after tournament. It was time that they ended another curse which was the 88 years of the Italian torment of not being able to defeat them. It was time for them to do their country justice and start writing a positive page in Spain’s history. The time came on June 22, 2008, a day that had always been a jinx for la furia, against one of the giants of Europe, Italy.

It was not an easy game for both Spain and Italy. Both countries left everything on the field. The heart, soul, pride, and honor was present from the first minute til the very last penalty. Football was the only ingredient missing.  It is true that Italy were missing their conductor Andrea Pirlo, but still enjoyed some good opportunities to get ahead in the score. However, this Italy still was a pale image to the the team that won the World Cup. Any rare attack by the azzurri were stopped by the phenomenal Casillas. His performance throughout the game was unreal, and when it came to the penalties he was a gift sent from the heavens. San Iker Casillas de Móstoles would not let his country down.  San Casillas in a spectacular fashion has given a country hope to dream of something big. The miracle of San Casillas on June 22 will forever remain in our mind and our hearts.

Its victories like these that makes one fall in love with football all over again. After years of suffering it is nice to celebrate again. After all, it is not everyday that you eliminate the World Champions. Spain were superior and looked for the victory a bit more than Italy. It was a suffered victory but a grand victory at the same time.  So now, I can finally say this could really be the year for Spain. They have disappeared the ghost of the quarter final, then why not continue writing history.  Here is to hoping that Spain have more fortune and victories heading their way in this Euro. 

  ¡Viva Casillas y que Viva España!