Casillas Rebuffs Best In The World Tag

Iker Casillas has dismissed the euphoria surrounding his form this season that incresaed at the weekend after his match-winning performance against Real Zaragoza.

The modest goalkeeper was uncomfortable with all the adulation that he has been receiving and sought to take the spotlight off himself in an interview with Radio Marca.

After being labelled 'Sant Iker' by the Spanish press, Casillas explained that he was only doing his job and that he was not going to be sucked into believing the hype.

"I am not saint anything," he said. "I am just Iker Casillas."

"All I am doing is my job. Strikers can play games without scoring and not worry, but at the back we are obliged to play well every week."

"It is not my aim to be the best in the world. It's all subjective. Last season Andrés Palop should have won three of four awards for his performances, but he was given nothing."

"He should have been recognised as the best goalkeeper of the season and not (Gianluigi) Buffon, who was playing in the second division."

"That's why I find it a little ridiculous all this talk about being the best in the world and in the best eleven."

Milan have been linked with a bank-breaking move for Casillas, but he has no intention of leaving Madrid and accepts that rumours are part and parcel of life at the club.

"My dream has always been to stay with Real Madrid," he explained. "I read all the rumours about me going here and there."

"There's always rumours involving Real Madrid, but luckily that's all they are. I have three years on my contract and I am happy."