Casillas supports Real Madrid amid refereeing controversy – ‘Have to defend their interests’ | OneFootball

Spanish footballing legends Iker Casillas and Gerard Pique were recently involved in a fun panel discussion, where the two shared their experiences.

The two teased each other throughout the interaction, with Real Madrid legend Casillas also sharing anecdotes about his career.

Most importantly, the former goalkeeper also reacted to Real Madrid’s recent statement against the referees and the refereeing body following the Espanyol game controversy.

Iker Casillas on his best game at Real Madrid

During his career, Casillas featured in over 700 competitive matches for Real Madrid. But his most favourite one was his debut, the goalkeeper revealed.

“The day I made my debut, which is when I started. At club level, the one that changed history was when we won the final against Juve in 1998,” he said (h/t MARCA) when asked about his best game for Real Madrid.

Casillas also offered his thoughts on the new talents cropping up in La Liga, especially with Barcelona’s academy producing some top talents in recent years.

“Important signings for La Liga. In this case, Barcelona have had to rely more on youngsters because in the end, as Gerard says, the chequebook was screwed, so you have to get people from the youth academy,” he said.

“It’s good because it helps them settle in and gain experience. At Madrid there are players like Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham who have adapted well to Madrid and to La Liga. Young players are emerging and are known globally,” he said.

Casillas believes the success of La Masia is a net positive for La Liga (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Casillas on title race and Real Madrid’s statement

Later in the interaction, Casillas was asked about Real Madrid’s recent statement against the refereeing association, which was caused quite the stir in Spanish football.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has already hit back at Real Madrid, even insinuating many scandals done by Real Madrid and Florentino Perez.

Casillas, though, has defended his former club, stating, “I think the statement is good because the club have to defend their interests.

“The refereeing body, after the VAR, now analyses each action very closely. It would need a former player with experience to say what he sees. We can say when it could be a voluntary action. The handball that Pique did, for example.”

Casillas was also whether or not it is more important if a defender or a goalkeeper gets injured in a team, as opposed to a midfielder or a striker.

“If you lose your starting centre-backs, you have to try to position the pieces well to try to make up for those losses. It can be complicated. An outfield player is perhaps more survivable, he can adapt. But even so it’s not easy and it depends on the game. If it’s a position that isn’t his, he could be suffering,” he replied.

Casillas’ statement comes in the wake of Real Madrid’s ongoing injury crisis in defence, with Los Blancos most recently losing their veteran defender David Alaba through a fresh adductor problem.

Finally, Casillas predicted the final standings in La Liga this season, placing Real Madrid at the top. “Barça third, Atletico second and Madrid first,” he concluded.