Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas will not be taken out of international duty following his move to FC Porto according to national team boss Vicente del Bosque.
The Spain manager has been expected to drop Casillas since he is no longer playing for a top club like Madrid. However, FC Porto are top club in their own right and we’ll be playing in the Champions League just as they have done for several seasons continuously. This means that Casillas will have his opportunities on the big stage. However, questions have been asked about the form and longevity of the player.
At 34 years of age, Casillas is not getting younger anytime soon. He is entering the twilight years of his career, but he is already the record holder in terms of number of appearances for the Spanish national team. Few players have managed to make more than 150 appearances for their national teams, but Casillas is already on 162. There are a number of great goalkeepers waiting on the wings to take over his position. David de Gea is amongst one of the chief contenders and he is likely to join Madrid in the summer. Vicente del Bosque may struggle to keep Iker Casillas in the first team ahead of De Gea.
“Casillas will go to the national team if he is [playing] well. To be a starter with us will depend on his performances. Other players have moved to a different league and are still playing [for the national team]. I believe he will do well at FC Porto. Real Madrid have had players that have left a mark in the history of the club but without a doubt, among the greatest is Iker Casillas. Above all, I would highlight his humility. In the last Spain meeting, Casillas said I could even count on him even as a third-choice keeper,” said del Bosque.