Real Madrid President Florentino Perez denies Iker Casillas was forced out of the club, saying that the goalkeeper wanted to leave.
The 34-year-old has recently completed a transfer to Portuguese side Porto, bringing an end to his 25-year association with Los Blancos.
The Santiago Bernabeu side have attracted much criticism for the way they have handled the player’s departure, but speaking to Spanish television Perez insisted Casillas had simply become fed up of his situation at Madrid and that the club had honoured his wish to move elsewhere.
“Casillas told us of his desire and we accepted it,” the 68-year-old began. “Nobody wanted him to leave the club. He is going because he is fed up.
“He has won our respect and love inside and outside the stadiums. He arrived as a nine-year-old and leaves as captain of the team, having won everything and as one of the great idols.
“He leaves as the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid’s and Spanish football’s history.”
