Real Madrid front man Cristiano Ronaldo has backed club captain Iker Casillas by saying he thinks the goalkeeper has always been world class.
Casillas is set to regain his place as the number one keeper at the club following the departure of Diego Lopez to AC Milan, although Keylor Navas will push him for his place. But the 33-year-old is looking to put a difficult 18-months behind him.
He was dropped by former boss Jose Mourinho in January 2013 and failed to regain his spot at the main keeper under Carlo Ancelotti last season, playing in the Copa del Rey and Champions League but hardly featuring in La Liga.
He was then part of the Spain squad then underwhelmed at the World Cup in Brazil. The 2010 champions lost 5-1 to Holland in their opening game and 2-0 to Chile in the second match to be sent home early.
But despite the negative headlines in recent months, team mate Ronaldo has said Casillas is the best.
“Iker has never stopped being one of the best keepers in the world,” Ronaldo told reporters. “He has always been world-class,” he added.
Since being appointed as captain of club and country in 2008, Casillas has lifted nine trophies. Previous to that, he had already won 11 honours.
