Iker Casillas captained Spain to FIFA World Cup™ glory in 2010
He also starred as La Roja won back-to-back UEFA EURO titles
Former clubs and team-mates have led the tributes
Iker Casillas has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39. The legendary keeper captained Spain to their first FIFA World Cup™ title in 2010, and also kept goal for their UEFA EURO triumphs of 2008 and 2012.
Casillas, who starred for Real Madrid and Porto during a silverware-laden club career, released a statement on social media in which he confirmed that his playing career is at an end.
"The important thing is the path you travel and the people who accompany you, not the destination to which it takes you," he tweeted. "Because that with work and effort, I think I can say, without hesitation, that is has been the path and the dream destination."
Milestones of a magnificent career
At international level
Participated in 4 FIFA World Cups
World champion at South Africa 2010
Adidas Golden Glove winner in 2010
Double European Champion (2008 and 2012)
Bronze medallist at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Egypt 1997
Champion at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Nigeria 1999
At club level
1 FIFA Club World Cup (with Real Madrid)
2 Intercontinental Cups (with Real Madrid)
3 UEFA Champions League titles (with Real Madrid)
2 UEFA European Super Cups (with Real Madrid)
7 league titles (5 with Real Madrid, 2 with Porto)
4 Spanish Super Cups
2 Copas del Rey
1 Taças de Portugal
1 Portuguese Super Cup
Tributes to a goalkeeping great
Twitter has been awash with accolades for the retiring legend, with former clubs and ex-team-mates among those paying tribute to one of the great goalkeepers of the modern era.