Spain and Real Madrid shot-stopper extraordinaire Iker Casillas has revealed that he feels unhappy whenever there is discussion of his rivalry with Fernando Torres for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Spanish international goalkeeper is one of the hot favourites to scoop up the European Footballer of the Year accolade later this year and his case has been further boosted with continually impressive displays.
After helping La Furia Roja to a 0-3 win at Estonia last Saturday, the 27 year old has now kept 710 consecutive minutes worth of clean sheets – a new Spanish record – and he is only three games away from beating the current record held by a certain Gianluigi Buffon.
One of Casillas’ competition for the Ballon d’Or is expected to be fellow Spaniard and Liverpool hotshot, Fernando Torres and the campaigning that has been apparent in the media has made it look as though there’s a personal rivalry between the pair.
“I have spoken with Fernando regarding the Ballon d’Or. He is a teammate and a good friend of mine and there’s nothing more important than that,” he said during an interview with Spanish daily, As.
“We have clarified everything between us and that is the end of the controversy,” he continued.
Casillas was then asked if he fancied his chances of picking up the award.
“Man, all of us would like to win something like that and so would I.
“But for me, the Ballon d’Or is not an obsession. I believe in doing things well on the field and whatever happens after that, happens.
“The best thing is that this year, there are several Spaniards on the list. And after finally winning the Eurocopa after so many years, I would like to see someone from the national team win it because we deserve it,” he concluded.
The Spanish international goalkeeper is one of the hot favourites to scoop up the European Footballer of the Year accolade later this year and his case has been further boosted with continually impressive displays.
After helping La Furia Roja to a 0-3 win at Estonia last Saturday, the 27 year old has now kept 710 consecutive minutes worth of clean sheets – a new Spanish record – and he is only three games away from beating the current record held by a certain Gianluigi Buffon.
One of Casillas’ competition for the Ballon d’Or is expected to be fellow Spaniard and Liverpool hotshot, Fernando Torres and the campaigning that has been apparent in the media has made it look as though there’s a personal rivalry between the pair.
“I have spoken with Fernando regarding the Ballon d’Or. He is a teammate and a good friend of mine and there’s nothing more important than that,” he said during an interview with Spanish daily, As.
“We have clarified everything between us and that is the end of the controversy,” he continued.
Casillas was then asked if he fancied his chances of picking up the award.
“Man, all of us would like to win something like that and so would I.
“But for me, the Ballon d’Or is not an obsession. I believe in doing things well on the field and whatever happens after that, happens.
“The best thing is that this year, there are several Spaniards on the list. And after finally winning the Eurocopa after so many years, I would like to see someone from the national team win it because we deserve it,” he concluded.
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