Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has admitted that his international retirement “is getting closer” but refused to give a date on when.
Casillas has endured a mixed debut season with Porto since leaving Real Madrid last summer but remains a firm fixture in Vicente del Bosque’s Spain squad, completing 90 minutes against Romania on Sunday to become Europe’s joint-most-capped player on 166.
“I’m pleased and happy to have earned 166 caps and be the player with the [joint] most matches for a European national team,” the custodian told his fans over live streaming on Facebook.
“Over the years, I’ve experienced both good and bad moments, but I’ll stick with the good ones.
“My [international] retirement is getting closer. It’s clear that time passes for everyone and I‘m no exception, but I’m still enthusiastic and I like to play with this squad full of young lads.
“I don’t know if this will be my last year with Spain. I just think about enjoying every day.
“No-one likes criticism, especially the most negative, but you must learn to live with it because in the end we’re always in the eye of the hurricane.
“[Spain’s objective is] to defend the title. We’re the defending champions, but it won’t be easy because every team want to beat us and we’re fired up for that.
“[On being called up for the Euros], Del Bosque will call up the 23 players he considers the best
“[Sergio Rico] is a great goalkeeper who is working well and will get his chance in the national team.
“He’s spent several years starring for Sevilla, with strong competition from Beto.”
