Iker Casillas discusses "dream" Real Madrid return
Iker Casillas discussed a possible return to Real Madrid during the presentation of his new fly-on-the-wall documentarty that airs in Spain next Friday.
Iker Casillas has expressed his strong desire to return to Real Madrid, admitting it is his “dream” to work again at the club where he spent 25 years before a move to Porto in 2015.
Casillas announced his official retirement in August of this year after suffering a heart attack in May, 2019. Having initially harboured hopes of a return to play following his heart scare, the 39-year-old finally decided to put his health first and call time on his illustrious career. Now he is looking towards the next stage of his life post-football, which could involve a role at his beloved Real Madrid.
Casillas was speaking at the presentation of Colgar las Alas (Lay down my wings), a new fly-in-the-wall documentary set to premier on Spanish TV on 27 November, which follows the Spanish goalkeeping legend over the period of 18 months – covering the day he suffered the heart attack during Porto training, the long road to recovery and the process of coming to terms with entering a new life phase as retirement looms over him.
Real Madrid return a dream for Casillas
“Honestly, I haven’t started to enjoy watching football yet. You still don't get used to the idea ... It's difficult for a player to change their mindset,” said Casillas, for whom a return to Madrid in some capacity looks to be drawing closer following his resignation announcement.
“I cannot hide the fact that after 25 years at Real Madrid, going back back is a dream that I have because I can be useful to a world-renowned club, because I know it very well, since the days at Cuatro Torres (the old training facility), as the older ones say, but also Valdebebas (the current training ground),” explained the 2010 World Cup winner.
“We do not know what tomorrow may bring, but I would be especially excited to return and be able to transmit those values that were taught to me as a child. That will always be there ... I will never close a door through which tomorrow I can be happy again.”
Casillas: I still think "why?"
Finding happiness again will be crucial for the 39-year-old, who has found it difficult to face calling it a day on his career after that fateful day on the Porto training pitch in May 2019, where it all came to an end a bit sooner than he would have liked. While he held on to some hopes of a return, the following months were about adjusting to the fact that a return was unlikely to happen.
“When you have an injury and the doctor treats you and gives you an estimated time to recover, you are calm because you know that you are going to return. When you have this problem and your question [to the doctors] is if you can return and you see that there is no confidence in their faces – that’s when you try to change how you think,” the former Madrid shot stopper revealed.
“You resist it a little, saying ‘that’s it’. It is such a radical process that it is difficult for you. From the corner of my eye in Porto I could see the end, that moment. To this day I still many times think ‘why?’.
“But I also have to think that I was very lucky, and look back and be grateful for what I have had. It is hard because you are aware that you have to be realistic and see a possible retirement on the horizon. You cannot fool yourself when facing a situation like this.”
All of this will be covered in the upcoming documentary, on which the Spain legend wants people to “draw their own conclusions”.
“It is a very good way to convey sincerity. When you have a blow as hard as the one I had, your head changes, your ideas change and that makes us all become more human. Without anticipating anything, I am convinced that everyone will like it.”