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Former Barcelona legend, Xavi Hernandez has hit out against Real Madrid for not giving a fitting send-off to their long-serving club captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas ahead of his move to the Portuguese club FC Porto. Real Madrid confirmed the departure of Casillas to Porto last week.
Casillas broke down in tears during his last press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, where he spent a memorable 25 years. He captained the club to the elusive La Decima in 2014, apart from winning two other Champions League titles and won 5 La Liga titles.
It was followed by Casillas’ parents rant against the Madrid club and the whole process drew ire from various legends and players alike. Xavi is the latest addition to that list to criticise Real on how they handled Casillas’ departure.
The send-off received by Xavi from Barcelona was in stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere at the Bernabeu to bid the legend goodbye.
Porto will appreciate Casillas more: Xavi
Writing for Spanish daily La Vanguardia, the former Barcelona playmaker wrote, “That’s why it leaves a bad taste what is happening with him now. In recent years, I have seen that he is not enjoying himself like before. He even seems bitter and I think everyone in this country should think about this.”
“It cannot be that maturing Spanish athletes are not shown sufficient respect, that people neglect to value everything they have done for their sport and instead focus on their defects, sometimes with malicious intent,” he wrote in his column on La Vanguardia.
Xavi drew a parallel comparison to another goalkeeper and club legend, Juventus’s Gianluigi Buffon, who he said is enjoying playing for The Old Lady Of Turin even at the age of 37.
“I look at Iker and I have the feeling that lately he is playing under pressure, as if he has to prove what a great keeper he is in every match, without the joy he always had. Now he is going to Porto and I am sure he will be welcomed as a hero. Away from here they will appreciate him more,” he wrote in his column on La Vanguardia, as reported by the Guardian.
Casillas arrives and gets great reception in Porto
Around 200 supporters welcomed their new signing at Francisco de Sa Carneiro airport in Porto, while the club’s official Twitter said “He has arrived.” He will don the number 12 jersey for the Dragões, the club said on their website.
