Iker Casillas was not forced out - Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez

Iker Casillas was not pressured into leaving Real Madrid, says the Spanish club’s president Florentino Perez.

The 34-year-old Spain goalkeeper gave a tearful news conference on Sunday, confirming he was ending his 25-year stay at Real to sign for Portuguese side Porto.


Perez has been criticised by some fans for how Casillas has been treated, with claims he had been pushed out.

“No one in Real Madrid asked him to leave the club,” said Perez.

“A few days ago he received an offer from Porto which he told us of immediately and asked us to take it into consideration and make an agreement.”

Casillas joined the Spanish giants’ youth academy in 1990 and made his first-team debut in 1999.

He helped the club to 17 major honours, including the Champions League on three occasions and La Liga five times.

In the 2013-14 season former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti played Casillas only in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Last season he was restored as first-choice keeper but Manchester United’s David De Gea is expected to replace him as Real and Spain’s number one.

“There has been a lot of pressure on him in the past two years,” added Perez.

“Although I would have liked him to finish his sporting career in our club, I have to accept his decision.”