Merengue icon bids farewell

Iker Casillas is an indisputable Merengue legend. The goalkeeper joined Real Madrid as a nine-year-old and, after 25 years and 725 first-team appearances, recently announced his decision to depart the Bernabeu for Porto.

The 34-year-old broke down in tears during the press conference to announce his transfer, during which he said: “I have come to this great stadium today to say goodbye to all of you. Especially to the Madrid fans. Thank you to the Madrid fans for their support, helping me lift every cup, every triumph, for being with me in the good moments and the bad moments, for giving me a hand when I needed lifting up.

“I don’t want to be remembered as a good goalkeeper or a bad goalkeeper, I just want to be remembered as a good person, with my faults. Thank you. Thank you. A thousand thank yous. Wherever I go, I will always shout ‘Hala Madrid’.”

The above picture shows Casillas posing with the trophies he helped Real win, including the FIFA Club World Cup, three UEFA Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles.