Florentino Perez: Iker Casillas was not forced out

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said Iker Casillas was not forced out of the club but chose to leave by himself.

Los Blancos and Perez in particular have been criticised over their handling of the legend’s exit after he agreed a two-year deal with Porto. Having publicly chased David de Gea all summer long, Casillas knew he had no future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

On Sunday he gave a press conference explaining his reasons for leaving and to say goodbye to the fans without a single member of the Madrid hierarchy present. Yesterday, the 34-year-old and Perez appeared at the stadium together to speak to the press and Casillas then went onto the field to acknowledge the waiting fans.

Speaking to journalists, Perez said: “Players who have a valid contract go because they want to, but in the case of Iker, because of his history, he has the right to foresee his future away from the club. We have understood that, it seems fine to us, and the same thing happened with Raúl, who did not leave by the back door as some have said before.”

He then went on to deny reports he had made life difficult for Casilllas in recent seasons, saying: “Any time I had the opportunity, I have criticised the whistles. I believe that there is something wrong if fans do not adore players. I understand that everyone has their own way of thinking, but I do not like when the media or fans attack players and I have reiterated that whenever possible. Our history and values have not taught us to criticise players publicly.”

“I have been speaking to him since I came here and I speak to all of the players whenever they have a problem. Those people who have not treated Iker well are the people who are going to miss him the most, and those who will remember him most in the future.”

He then went on to speak about a possible replacement but not be drawn on the David de Gea situation.

“Iker is going and we will begin to see who can come. De Gea is a magnificent goalkeeper who belongs to a club who are friends of ours and we have nothing to say about the matter. Replacing Casillas is impossible. Lots of goalkeepers will come but they do not arrive here aged nine, and we will always remember Casillas as a legend who has been a part of the last 25 years of Real Madrid’s history.”