Iker Casillas hails Real Madrid trio as the ‘pillars of the club’ | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has expressed his desire for Vinicius Jr. to continue his journey at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian forward, who has a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, remains a crucial figure for the Spanish giants.

Casillas highlighted the impressive transformation Vinicius has undergone since joining the club, evolving from a player often mocked for his performances to one of the best in the world.

“As a Real Madrid fan, I would like Vinicius to stay at Madrid. He has evolved fantastically since he arrived.

“At first they were making jokes and mocking Vini Jr. every time. Then, he himself became one of the best and I hope he remains the same,” he said as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Speaking on title chances

Iker Casillas has asked for patience. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Casillas shared insights on Real Madrid’s current position in the league. Despite holding a four-point advantage over Atletico Madrid and a seven-point lead over Barcelona, he urged caution.

The football legend emphasised that the league dynamics can change rapidly, with March being the most critical period when key competitions are decided.

He noted that public opinions about Real Madrid have dramatically shifted in recent months. What was once considered a poor season under Carlo Ancelotti has now turned into praise for the manager’s brilliance.

“Those of us who have played this game know that what they tell you one day has nothing to do with what they tell you the next.

“Three months ago Madrid was horrible, Carlo Ancelotti was a disaster and now everyone says he’s a phenomenon. This has changed a lot and you have to be prepared for March when everything is decided,” he said.

Praise for the rest

Casillas says Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham are the pillars of Real Madrid. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

On the subject of Real Madrid’s chances in the Champions League, Casillas acknowledged the difficulty of advancing to the top eight in the group stage.

However, he urged the team to keep fighting, as football often presents unexpected opportunities.

The conversation shifted to the Vinicius-Mbappe-Bellingham trio, which Casillas described as pivotal for Real Madrid’s future.

“From what I see on television and how they play, they get along very well. They are three pillars of Real Madrid and what they have to do is continue playing phenomenally and take Madrid to the top,” he said.

He admired their strong on-field chemistry and believes they can lead the club to greater success.