Grateful Casillas shocked by Spain call
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has admitted that he is surprised by his call-up to the Spain squad after being dropped by the Primera champions. "I wasn't confident I would be called up," he said.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has admitted that he is surprised by his call-up to the Spain squad after being dropped by the Primera champions. "I wasn't confident I would be called up," he said.
The stopper hasn't played for Real since letting Giovane Elber's volley fly past him in Real's Champions' League semi-final defeat to Bayern Munich.
The 19-year-old believed the gaffe had jeopardised his international future. But he was delighted Spain manager Jose Antonio Camacho has included him in the squad to prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Israel next month.
"Camacho said one time that it was difficult to get in the national side if you weren't playing for your team. I'm really grateful that he has continued to think about me despite the situation with Real."
Casillas was quick to stress that he has no complaints about being left out of the Madrid side. "I've played more minutes on the pitch than a lot of my team-mates," he said.
"Vicente Del Bosque has known me since I was 10 and I don't ask him for explanations. I've always had a deep respect for him and I respect him even more now."