Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has received the support of team mate Pepe who has said the shot stopper is the best goalkeeper in the world.
Echoing the comments made by La Roja boss Vicente del Bosque, the Portuguese defender said Casillas had been instrumental in Real’s success throughout his career and did not deserve to be the target of abuse.
Casillas was jeered by some sections of the Madrid support this week as Los Blancos lost 4-3 at home to Schalke in the Champions League but managed to scrape into the quarter finals.
He also said that he was unfairly punished by Jose Mourinho for coming out in support of Casillas in the past.
Speaking to La Cope, Pepe said: “Right now Iker is the best goalkeeper in the world and it’s strange that somebody like him gets whistled. Things were never clear when [Jose] Mourinho was here and I paid the price for saying Iker should be respected for what he has done for Spain. That was unfair.
“People forget what he’s won and everything he’s given to football and that was quite painful for me to see. When I came out and said he deserves respect it was taken as though I was his best friend and we then became everyone’s enemy.”
