Carvajal: I can't imagine Casillas wearing another shirt
The defender has backed his team-mate to remain at Real Madrid and confirmed he himself would fight for his place for club and country.
The defender has backed his team-mate to remain at Real Madrid and confirmed he himself would fight for his place for club and country.
Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal says he can't imagine Iker Casillas wearing any other shirt amid rumours he will depart this summer.
Madrid are keen to sign Manchester United keeper David De Gea and install him as their No.1 after Casillas suffered another campaign blighted by a series of high-profile mistakes.
The club captain has represented Madrid over 500 times since making his debut in 1999 and Carvajal admits it would be strange to see him playing for another team.
"Neither myself nor anyone else can imagine Iker Casillas wearing any other shirt that isn’t the Real Madrid one," the 23-year-old said to reporters at Spain's training base, where his country are gearing up to face Costa Rica on Thursday.
Carvajal himself faces an uncertain future at Madrid following the signing of Danilo from Porto, but says he will fight for his place under new coach Rafa Benitez.
"Next season I will be in competition with Danilo but I’ll be making it difficult for the coach to decide. If I am here with the Spain squad, it’s down to all of the hard work I have put in.
"Those that know me can tell you that I will be making it difficult for [Spain coach] Vicente Del Bosque to make his decision about the right-back position."
The former Bayer Leverkusen defender also responded to comments made by Spain team-mate Gerard Pique during Barcelona's treble celebrations.
The centre-back took a swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo by thanking Colombian musician Kevin Roldan - who performed at the Portuguese's infamous 30th birthday party following their 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in February, claiming it helped turn Barca's season around.
"It’s a subjective opinion and it’s not for me to judge," he said. "I don’t know if any of the Madrid players here have spoken with Piqué, I myself prefer to keep away from these issues."
"I feel very proud to be here together with my team mates. The fans have always supported us and that was the case yesterday – they’re always behind the national team and that’s how I like to see it."
"We’ve been amazed at the recognition we’ve had. The reception that we are getting here has been fantastic."