I'd like to take this moment to honor a player that has been with us for 25 years. Iker Casillas has, in those 25 years, played for Real Madrid's C team, B team, and the first team. With the first team, he has made 725 appearances, the 2nd highest in our club's history. Casillas has also won 5 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey's, 4 Supercopa de Espana's, 2 UEFA Super Cup's, 1 Club World Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, and most importantly, 3 Champions League titles. He has been the undisputed 1st choice keeper for the majority of his career at Real, and fully deserved any and all accolades. Iker's determination to be the best and his attitude towards his teammates and other professionals has been impeccable. Thank you legend for being dedicated for our club for so long, and I'm very sorry we couldn't have given you the farewell you truly deserve.

#OneOfTheAllTimeGreats

Wish him all the best at Porto, its very close to Spain so i guess it influenced his choice. most caped player in Champions league History, probably most caped player in national selection. Best Spanish GK ever ahead of Zubizaretta and probably one of the best ever in the world.

I find him to be the second-best keeper of his generation, behind only Gigi Buffon, who was an astoundingly amazing keeper in his own right.

What a player for Spain/Real he was. I think he deserved farewell like Xavi...

It's end of an era, but I'm glad I have grown up watching this legend playing. Good luck legend, hope you will lift some trophies in Porto.

Casillas in tears on press conference. Legend.

Cried myself.

Sad to see you go. Thanks for all the wonderful memories.
Good luck.

Casillas: "It only seems like yesterday that I wore the Real Madrid jersey for the first time as a nine-year-old. I saw my dream fulfilled. During this time, I’ve felt very loved and accompanied. This club have also formed me as a person and helped me grow. I’ve always tried to carry their values.

Throughout these years, I’ve experienced unique moments. I leave great friends behind, but I know I can always count on them. I also want to thank all my Coaches. I remember them all because of all the many things that I’ve learned from them. [I] also [want to thank] the various coaching staff for giving me advice and understanding in bad times and entire club staff, who have been part of Real Madrid. They’re not seen but are always there.

Thank you to my parents and family, who have always been by my side, plus my wife and son. Thank you Real Madrid for your unconditional support, being your captain for the last five years and being able to lift trophies.

Above all, more so than being remembered as a good or bad goalkeeper, I hope that I’m remembered for being a good person."

Casillas' mother: "Iker has put up with a great deal, he has suffered psychological pressure and they treated him differently to other players.

I have watched him suffer for many years. It is Florentino who is pushing him out because he wanted to end his career at Real Madrid.

Porto is a third-tier team for someone of Iker's stature. A world champion can't end up at Porto. He could have gone wherever he wanted and I wouldn't have cared if it had been Barcelona because they are gentlemen."

I don't know about other Real fans, but I sincerely wouldn't have minded at all if Iker transferred to Barca. At least they would give him the respect he deserves...

Wow. Casillas's mother seems like a despicable and disgusting person unlike Casillas himself. That woman needs to be put in place.

Seeing this really breaks my heart....

Thank you Legend and Good luck in Porto! Hope you will come back soon...

Porto IS a third tier team she's correct. Is that why Porto got smacked 6-1 by bayern whilst Real Madrid smacked bayern 4-0? There's a big difference.

His mother has every right to say that! Heck, had I known this guy personally I would've said the same thing, too.

Though it make me sad, I personally don't mind the move because Iker can play for a couple more years. What really bothered me is the fact that Florentino doesn't respect the legends of this club ( Raul, Hierro, Makelele, Iker etc) and players in general. Florentino's last two terms were destructive and disappointing. How many star players did we kick out just for the hell of it? Robin, Di Maria, Ozil Xabi AND FRICKIN KAKA?!

"His mother has every right to say that!"

Of course, we can say what we want in the world we live in today, but is it smart of her? A mother calling Porto, one of Europe's greatest clubs and her own son's new club, a "3rd tier team", doesn't convince me she has a very high IQ. Must be dumb as fk to be honest, and stand for values completely opposite to Casillas.

They are a third tier team. Portugal isn't the top 4 leagues in the world. Porto got smashed 6-1 by hospital bayern whilst Real Madrid smashed bayern 4-0. There is a big difference in quality between the teams

@VAMOSBenfica, I don't think it is a matter of her mother being smart or not. She was just being overly protective of her son and let her emotions get the best of her. I don't think it is grounds for calling her "despicable and disgusting" if you comprehend motherhood. And let's be honest, Porto is a great team, but definitely not a step up for Casillas.

@Madridista11

I agree with you on Perez disrespecting legends and loyal players. However, Kaka was not a very good performer for Madrid at all. He wasn't booed or jeered because the fans always loved him. He put in his best and tried very hard to perform despite all his injuries and being put into awkward positions by Mourinho. Kaka was a massive waste of money if you look at it from footballing terms. He failed to perform, and was locked out of his position by a 21-year-old Mesut Ozil. Kaka had to leave, but I'm happy he was loved by all the Real supporters because he was really a nice guy who tried his best for our club.

Well Casillas mother only knows clubs hype and glamour, on the pitch its a little different, Porto have been rock solid for years, did good buisness and have clear long term plans and beatiful stadium. I respect Porto more than some other bigger clubs atm.

He was in talks with Roma and Tottenham, i think he did the best choice of the 3, Porto has the strongest team of the 3.
His mother wanted a glamorous club for his son, but he actually did a good choice, thats better than Qatar or MLS, he respected Madrid till the end by refusing to play for another Spanish club and he will play CL next year and get his salary untouched as Madrid will pay 60% of it. Its the nearest big club to Spain with Benfica so its not that bad for him afterall.

His mother isnt a communication mastress :), we all saw it but she should let some behind the scenes incidents hidden for the good of his son, despite the bad treatment of the board, Iker remains a club Legend and will remain.

@VamosBenfica I wasn't talking about the Porto comment. Heck I didn't even read that part. But to see a Benfica fan say that really shows your great character! Props :D

I was mainly talking about her allowing her son to go to Barcelona. Like @TheGame said, she spoke out of emotion and even if wrong, I wouldn't blame her. You'll never understand until you become a parent yourself.

@Dynastian98 You're probably right in a sense, but if you recall he got injured in his second season. Even when he came in as a sub he was brilliant!