Iker Casillas rubbishes Real Madrid exit rumours

Iker Casillas celebrates after leading Real Madrid to the FIFA Club World Cup

Long time Real Madrid goalkeeper and skipper Iker Casillas has brushed aside rumours linking him to a move to a host of clubs in the coming window.

According to reports coming from reliable Spanish media outlet Marca, the Spanish international who recently led his team to victory in the Club World Cup, said that he has no reason to leave the Bernabeu any time soon.

Casillas, who has been spearheading Los Blancos’ 22 game winning streak, recently played in his 700th game for Real Madrid and seems to be keen on extending that number even further.

The Spanish international had linked by many a media outlet with a move to Arsenal and Liverpool with both teams searching for more solidarity at the back.

Casillas had been under immense pressure and scrutiny in the last year and a half with Diego Lopez clearly outperforming him between the sticks for Real Madrid. A disastrous first-round World Cup exit further compounded his misery even further with Spanish national coach Vincente Del Bosque called out by all and sundry for picking Casillas.

However, his recent quotes suggest that the 33-year believes the year has been one of his best in his career. In a recent interview following Real Madrid first ever triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup, Casillas said: “It's been my best year. Four titles and I played in all of them, it doesn't get much better than that. I can't forget those things just because I had a bad six weeks.[...] Let's take things one step at a time. I'm under contract and have no reason to think about leaving.”

This should all but put cold water to any plans that Arsenal or Liverpool might have of recruiting the long-time Real Madrid servant. Arsene Wenger had been reportedly keen on strengthening his options at the back in spite of signing David Ospina in the summer and had been linked with Petr Cech in recent times.

Meanwhile at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers looks to be in search of a new man between the sticks after Simon Mignolet had fallen out of favour with the Irishman.