Iker Casillas is surprised by the events that have unfolded in recent weeks in La Liga. Barcelona have slumped to three defeats in a row which blew the title race wide open. Atletico Madrid are now level on points with the Catalans and Real Madrid are only a point behind.
During a promotional event with Head and Shoulders, Iker Casillas talked about the title race in La Liga. “It's an exciting league. The fact that Madrid are actually in with a fighting chance when it looked impossible is good for everyone. There are three great teams but I hope that in the end it's Madrid that wins."
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Casillas drew comparisons of a Capello's season with Real Madrid saying, "For Madrid this season may have similarities with that of Capello and I hope that it ends the same way. Back then we clung to the title race as we had nothing else to go for. The best thing is that they've comeback into it and have built expectations."
Casillas on Zidane and Barcelona
He also gave his opinion on Zinedine Zidane and how he has been doing so far. "Hopefully Zidane succeeds. We have all enjoyed what he achieved as a footballer and here's hoping that he brings lots of glory to Madrid as a coach."
The Spanish veteran couldn't explain why Barcelona are in such a poor run of form. “I don't know the reasons for the crisis at Barça, I've never been in that locker room. When the ball doesn't want to go in, everything is a crisis with bad results. If you told me 3 weeks ago that this was going to happen, I wouldn't have believed you. I'm glad because Madrid are now close, something that seemed impossible before.”
Retirement and the Euros
Casillas is now 34 and was asked about when he was going to hang up his boots. But it doesn’t look like that's going to happen anytime soon.
“I saw Rafa Nadal at the weekend and he said to me, 'while I'm still enjoying it I'm going to keep going.' I can use this phrase for myself: as long as I'm enjoying it I'll not leave the game, although I know I'm 34 and can't go on forever.”
With De Gea’s emergence, Casillas might find it difficult to get into the Spanish first team. “I don't like talking too much about the Euros while I'm still not confirmed to be in it. I have to wait for Vicente's list. If I go, I'll fight and fight as I've always done for the national team. De Gea or me? Well, if De Gea plays, at least you'll have some headlines.(laughs)”
He also talked about the Pique Arbeloa rivalry saying, “It's fine that each of them defends their interests, but I am convinced that if they were both sat around a table it wouldn't be the same as what is being seen on social networks.”
The UEFA Champions League and his future
With Barcelona knocked out Casillas gave his prediction for the UEFA Champions League “Madrid is favorite. Barca and Bayern were the strongest, but after seeing Atletico eliminate the defending champions you also have to consider them. All four teams can make it to Milan".
Casillas also spoke about where he will be playing in the future to which he replied. “I have a contract and I will continue with Porto until 2018. We have the cup final to secure at least one title this season.”
