Former Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas has sent a message to Madrid fans for their treatment of players who leave the club. On Sunday, Alvaro Arbeloa played his last game at the Bernabeu and the Madrid fans gave him a wonderful send-off.
Arbeloa was no doubt a loyal servant for the club and was also a product of the Castilla academy. The right-back left Real Madrid in search of first team football during his early days, playing for the likes of Deprotivo La Coruna and Liverpool ,during a span of three years.
Real noticed how his performances had improved and immediately purchased the defender from the Reds in 2009. Arbeloa became a fixture in starting XI and went on to win the La Liga and the Champions league.
Arbeloa’s farewell in pictures:
Iker Casillas was very happy for his former teammate and congratulated him on his wonderful career but he was not so discreet in his message to the fans about his treatment when he left the club.
Iker Casillas posted a video on Facebook yesterday saluting Arbeloa but also addressing the fans farewell too.
Translation courtesy AS:
”One of my old team-mates, Álvaro, has finished with Real Madrid. I would like to thank him for everything he has given the club.”
“Álvaro was a product of the youth academy and had to go elsewhere to prove he had the necessary quality to return and play for Real Madrid.
“Every Real Madrid player deserves this kind of send-off, accompanied by their team-mates and the fans.”
It’s clear that Casillas is still hurt after the way his departure was handled by the club. Several people criticized Florentino Perez and the fans of Madrid for the same.
Casillas was not given a tribute or farewell by the Bernabeu crowd and he was forced to conduct his own press conference while his teammates went on pre-season tour. The Spanish international wept at that conference because of the sentiment he had for the club he grew up at.
Iker spent 16 seasons at Madrid winning La Liga 5 times and the UEFA Champions League 3 times. He eventually lost his place in the first team during his last season which was one of the major factors affecting the decision to let him go.
Casillas recently pledged his future to Porto amid rumours of him joining a club in the MLS.
