Casillas recognized by his football cohorts

  
BUYO:
"He and Buffon are the best in the world. Goalkeepers never get the recognition they deserve, but he should win the Balon d'Or if they did. He's still got a few small kinks to iron out, but he'll make the adjustments because he's young and intelligent. He's a ball magnet. He'll break every single record."

OCHOTORENA:
"It's hard to say who is the best keeper in the world because they fluctuate throughout the season, but Casillas has matured a ton and has been almost perfect this season. He'll make a great save when everyone else thinks it's going to be a goal."

VÍCTOR MUÑOZ, Recreativo boss:
"He makes more saves than any other keeper. His performance has been spectacular. He excels at closing angles between the posts. He has also improved his aerial game and attacking centre passes. Teams reach Barça's box five times and Madrid's box fifteen times, but Barça concedes more goals. It's neither Van Nistelrooy, Robinho, nor Raúl. This year Casillas is the difference-maker. I do, however, believe luck plays a small role between the posts."
VICENTE:
"He makes impossible saves. He would be the perfect goalkeeper if he came out a little more. He would win a Balon d'Or if he was Italian. He deserves all the recognition. It's hard to compare keepers of different eras, but he's among the best in Madrid's history."

ANDONI CEDRÚN, former Athletico and Zaragoza keeper:
"He's got a great head on his shoulders. Even when he debuted at 17 he knew where he was and what his responsibilities were. He's got the gift of appearing when it counts most. All that are missing are the international awards."

AGUSTÍN:
"He's the keeper that influences the final result more than any other. He's won Leagues and Champions Leagues and been the star in both. Now he just needs to succeed with the national team in order to win the Balon d'Or. Madrid has gotten used to startling football, and Casillas is the perfect man for the job."

LUIS GARCÍA, Espanyol player:
"He's exceptional. You have to adjust your shot a lot more in order to beat him. He's got abnormal agility and always remains upright in one-on-ones. His aerial game has improved a lot, meaning that he has very few defects left."

GORKA IRAIZOZ, Athletic keeper:
"He's got reflexes, agility, and reaction speed. His best asset is his leg speed."
MIGUEL ÁNGEL:
"His character, his to-do, and his security... I don't think he has much room for improvement because what takes years to iron out he already does to perfection. He's going through a great patch. There's no doubt he's number one. Winning the Balon d'Or is only fair."

MANUEL AMIEIRO, goalkeeper trainer:
"He was playing in the youth system the first time I saw him. He did everything differently than the rest and looked a lot more veteran because of his attitude. Vicente del Bosque was shocked when I asked if we could move him up. "How are we going to work with such a young kid?" he asked. I explained that he was ahead of all the kids his age and that it was the best way for him to continue his progress."

ANDONI ZUBIZARRETA:
"Forwards used to always get the credit for the good stuff, while goalkeepers were always blamed for mistakes. Iker is doing a great service to the role of the goalkeeper. He's got technique, fast legs, great hands, and is good in one-on-ones."

VICENTE DEL BOSQUE:
"He was never a nuissance and he's not pedantic, which is why he has made it. He always wanted to participate and he liked to play further up, so sometimes he made himself a forward. He's worked his way up and has improved daily. He's had a magnificent career."




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ERNESTO VALVERDE, Espanyol boss:
"I'm not very familiar with Buffon, so I believe Casillas is the best in the world. He can improve in certain aspects, such as controlling the ball with his feet, but little more. His agility and cold blood when it comes to saving his team from unexpected situations best define him."

MIGUEL TORRES:
"He never gets upset. He's a role model for kids and a guarantee in goal. We know we can score easily, but Iker can also get us out of any jam."

JUNQUERA:
"He's an exceptional keeper who has great reflexes and is extremely calm. If not the best in the world, he's among the top three. He deserves the Balon d'Or, but it's never given to goalkeepers. I find it impossible that he burns out soon."

GARCÍA REMÓN:
"I predict we'll see Casillas for a long time to come. If not the best Madrid keeper ever, he's very close because he's got a lot more work than his predecessors. He's the most decisive keeper in the world and should win the Balon d'Or."

ZAPATER, Zaragoza midfielder:
"Being a decisive player for Madrid, where everyone stands out for something, is amazing. It's not just his saves, but his presence and the security he gives his team. He's got something different... And great reflexes."

ARAQUISTAIN:
"I don't think he can improve much more. He's never been injured, so I see no reason why he can't be Madrid's keeper for many more years to come. The perfect keeper doesn't exist. He's got to improve in charging balls from the wings. The more shots he sees, the better he gets."

MIGUEL ÁNGEL LOTINA, Deportivo boss:
"He's got it all: reaction speed, coordination, placement. Perhaps he needs a little work on his aerial game."

Iker Casillas has remained humble. He doesn't care for all the praise or the nickname 'Saint Iker', and would rather do his job of "stopping balls and little more. Maintaining a clean sheet is extremely satisfying." His secret? "To continue being my same old self. My secret is to escape from all the praise. Being recognized is great, but no one can change me from being me. It doesn't affect me." Despite being considered the best, Casillas would rather focus on correcting his mistakes and improving as a goalkeeper. There's a reason he's number one.