Real Madrid keeper Kiko Casilla says he couldn’t turn down the chance of playing for the ‘best club in the world’ when they came calling in the summer – despite hindering his chances of being part of Spain’s Euro 2016 squad.
The former Los Blancos youth player returned to the Santiago Bernabeu from Espanyol and has largely had an understudy role this season, filling in during games when Keylor Navas is rested.
The shot stopper was on the verge of breaking into Vicente del Bosque’s squad, and could well do so as the third choice keeper this summer, but his chances may have been reduced by the lack of regular first team football this season.
Speaking in an interview with AS, Casilla says he has no regrets over his decision because he knew he was joining the best club in the world, in his opinion.
He stated: “It’s true that you have to make sacrifices but that’s always going to be the case when the best club in the world comes calling. I grew up in the youth categories here and I wanted to return. My personal assessment is that there’s no price on being at the best club in the world.”
Asked whether his role has changed compared to what he had experienced at Espanyol, where he made a name for himself as one of La Liga’s best keepers, Casillas added that he knew moving back to Los Blancos would present various challenges.
“I knew it would be difficult. When you’re at the biggest club in the world you know that not everything will be a bed of roses. I knew it would be tough – we have one of the best squads and the manager is the one who decides. But I can honestly say that even not playing you still learn so much being here,” he added.
