Xavi – Iker Casillas exit leaves bitter taste

Iker Casillas’ exit from Real Madrid leaves a bitter taste, according to ex-Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez.

The midfielder, who left the Catalan side after 17 years this summer for Al Sadd, paid a warm tribute to his old international colleague on earlier this week. And on Tuesday he spoke once again on the subject, this time attacking Real for showing a lack of respect.

Casillas held a press conference on Sunday afternoon in which no member of the Los Blancos board turned up. He was in tears as he said goodbye. Then, in a hastily organised event, the goalkeeper – who signed a two year deal with Porto – appeared alongside Florentino Perez at the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday, an event in which fans called on the club president to resign.

Speaking to La Vanguardia newspaper, Xavi said legendary sports stars such as Casillas should be shown respect.

“It cannot be that maturing Spanish athletes are not shown sufficient respect. He is going to Porto and I am sure he will be welcomed as a hero. Away from here they will appreciate him more,” he said.

He added: “I look at Iker and I have the feeling that lately he is playing under pressure, as if he has to prove what a great keeper he is in every match, without the joy he always had. In recent years I have seen that he is not enjoying himself like before. He even seems bitter and I think everyone in this country should think about this. It cannot be that people neglect to value everything they have done for their sport and instead focus on their defects, sometimes with malicious intent.”