Iker Casillas: Real Madrid and Spain legend retires from football

The 39-year-old calls time on his career after 167 caps for his country and more than 1,000 overall after a glittering career with Real Madrid and Porto

Casillas will be remembered as one of the greats of his generation (Reuters)

Legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas has confirmed his retirement from football.

The 39-year-old calls time on his career after 167 caps for his country and more than 1,000 overall after a glittering career with Real Madrid and Porto.

Casillas won the Champions League three times and La Liga five times before winning Primeira Liga in Portugal twice after swapping boyhood club Real for Porto in 2015.

He also lifted the World Cup as captain of Spain in 2010 as well as winning the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

He announced the news with an emotional letter on social media.

“The important thing is the path you travel and the people who accompany you, not the destination to which it takes you,” he said.

“Because that with work and effort, I think I can say, without hesitation, that is has been the path and the dream destination.”

Casillas suffered a heart attack in training in May 2019 but returned to training later in the year.

But he never returned to the field and hangs up his gloves ahead of an expected return to Real as a behind-the-scenes advisor.