'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has taken a subtle dig at former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, ‘congratulating’ him on the chance to win the Europa League. Mourinho made the comments while speaking to the press after Chelsea had defeated Casillas’ team, Porto, 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, at the expense of FC Porto, who finished third and are thus demoted to the Europa League.
Trending
“Now he (Casillas) can win the only trophy he hasn’t won before, the Europa League” were Mourinho’s words when asked about Casillas in his press conference. While his comments are conciliatory on the surface, Mourinho snuck in a subtle dig with his comments, as one of the Casillas’ criteria when moving away from Real Madrid this season was that his new club would compete for the Champions League.
The two were rumoured to have a long-running feud when Mourinho was manager of Real Madrid, a situation that was precipitated when Casillas was benched in favour of Diego Lopez. Mourinho wasn’t diplomatic about Casillas’ perceived dip in quality, constantly championing Lopez’s abilities over those of Casillas. He was the first manager to ever drop Casillas for an extended period of time, the Real Madrid legend having made the position his since the tender age of 18.
Iker Casillas has set a Champions League appearance record with this appearance for Porto, his 158th in the competition. Casillas surpassed Barcelona rival Xavi Hernandes who made 157, and will be unable to add to his tally this season. The goalkeeper has nothing to worry about however, as the closest player currently playing is Cristiano Ronaldo on 116.
While Mourinho’s comments can be perceived as a dig, Casillas has previously spoken to Real Madrid TV, voicing his desire to win every available trophy, including the UEFA Cup, the previous incarnation of the Europa League. He may actually have a good chance to fulfill that wish with FC Porto, who have been quite strong this season.
