Iker Casillas has mused on his return to playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu, but says that ‘Real Madrid are more important than me’.
The goalkeeper has continued to attract attention in the early weeks of the season for being determined by the club as the first-choice goalkeeper in the Champions League, but otherwise below Diego Lopez in the pecking order for League games.
Wednesday evening saw the Spain captain manage a first 90 minutes under Carlo Ancelotti this season and a first appearance of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It was a long time without playing in the Bernabeu in an official match and getting back to wearing this shirt makes me feel proud,” mused Casillas after the game, which ended with him making a series of saves.
“It has been a very long time and a lot has happened in that time but I have not tried to hide anything. The team should be congratulated because we managed to win, which was not easy.
“The club has treated me very well and Real Madrid are more important than Casillas. The players try to make it better. We have to focus on the present, we have a team with great quality.
“When you've gone so long without playing, lots of things go through your head, but my dream is to keep playing until the mind and body will permit.
“Real Madrid is the most demanding club and playing in this team and for Spain means that people have opinions of you.
“What I want is to play football and do so for Real Madrid. Right now, the aim is to keep going.
“You have to respect the most critical people and work hard to change their minds so they are with the team so that, together, we can win titles.”
