Iker Casillas says now is not the time to decide whether there will be wholesale changes to the make-up of the Spanish national team.
La Roja were knocked out of the World Cup tonight following a comprehensive 2-0 defeat to Chile.
Speaking to television after the final whistle at the Maracana, the goalkeeper and captain said that while elimination is merited, the key players who have contributed to a golden era of Spanish football do not deserve to bow out in this manner.
“If in a World Cup you lose the first two matches it explains everything,” Casillas said. “We ask for people’s forgiveness, though hopefully they know that we did everything possible to make them happy again. But it wasn’t to be.
“We are the first people responsible and we are very hurt. It’s been a tough blow and we need to take it.
“I don’t think we need to talk about that. This is not the day to start blaming people and discussing whether to change or not change.
“There are some players who are over 30, the Coach will make his decisions and we will respect them.
“Was that my last match? I don’t know, we’ll wait and see. This group doesn’t deserve an ending like this.
“Now we need to try and finish in the best possible way against Australia. All we can do is congratulate Chile and look to the future. Chile played very well.
“When you are out of luck and you aren’t in form at the World Cup, this is what happens. No one expected anything like this.
“This is football. Four years ago we went through the positive side of it and now we get the negative side.”
