Sepp Blatter congratulates Xavi Hernandez and Iker Casillas for winning the Prince of Asturias award for Sport today, revealing why he nominated them.
The FIFA President put forward the two for the award that recognises ‘'individuals, entities or organizations from around the world who make notable achievements in their field’, which they were announced as winners of today.
“It is well deserved for these two great players, they are an example to the young on and off the field,” Blatter reacted today via FIFA’s official website.
“I’d like to also thank the Prince of Asturias Foundation for giving me the opportunity to nominate Iker and Xavi.
“In this year where the Spanish team has achieved a historic treble, with two European Championships and one World Cup in a row, I proposed Iker and Xavi as candidates, as both meet the criteria that identify them as players whose quality of work undeniably deserves international recognition.
“While it is certainly true that football is a team sport, an undeniable fact which was recognised in 2010 when the Spanish national team won the award, we consider that these two players in particular symbolise the unity of the team through a friendship forged and maintained since 1999, when together they won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Nigeria.”
