Xavi Lashed Out Says, "It Leaves A Bad Taste In Mouth" Over Iker Casillas Exit

 Former Spain teammate Xavi Hernandez has condemned Real Madrid for failing to give the Captain and Goalkeeper Iker Casillas a deserved farewell.

Iker Casillas breaks down at the press conference in Bernabeu

Casillas who has been a part of Real Madrid team for 15 years, since his joining in 1990, was left to sit alone in the press conference held to announce his exit to join Porto.

The 34 year old was tearful and choked up several times as he read the farewell note after 16 glorious seasons at Bernabeu.

The club saw criticism from both fans and other players, fans gathered outside the club stadium in Madrid and chanted for president Florentino Perez to quit.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

In response Real Madrid gave a official farewell to Casillas the next day on Monday. Fans gathered in huge number and bid goodbye to the now Porto goalkeeper with chants and ovations.

The treatment of Spain goalkeeper was exactly opposite to the farewell that his Spanish teammate Xavi, who joined Qatar club Al-Sadd, received from his former club FC Barcelona after playing 17 seasons.

Thus, Xavi expressed his discontent and spoke to Spanish daily La Vanguardia on Tuesday that Casillas is a "good person" and deserves to be treated better.


Iker Casillas and his Spain teammate Xavi Hernandez

Xavi said, "I look at Iker and I have the feeling that lately he is playing under pressure, as if he has to prove what a great keeper he is in every match, without the joy he always had.

"In recent years I have seen that he is not enjoying himself like before. He even seems bitter and I think everyone in this country should think about this.

"It cannot be that people neglect to value everything they have done for their sport and instead focus on their defects, sometimes with malicious intent."   

Casillas, who had one year left on his contract, won three Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles with Real and holds the record for Spanish caps (162), winning two European Championships and the World Cup.

An Emotional farewell for both Iker Casillas and fans

 Xavi drew a comparison with Gianluigi Buffon, the Italy and Juvetus goalkeeper, stating that at 37 he still enjoys every match he plays.

The Al-Sadd player further added, "That's why it leaves a bad taste what is happening with him now".

The former Barcelona player mentioned his best wishes to Casillas, "He is going to Porto and I am sure he will be welcomed as a hero. Away from here they will appreciate him more."

Iker Casillas posed with the trophies he had haul during his time at Real Madrid

Iker Casillas Trophies:
5 La Liga (2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012)
3 Champions League (2000, 2002, 2014)
2 European Championship (2008, 2012)
2 Copa del Rey (2011, 2014)
1 World Cup (2010)
1 Club World Cup (2014)

"Above all, more so than being remembered as a good or bad goalkeeper, I hope that I’m remembered for being a good person."

-Iker Casillas, Former Real Madrid Goalkeeper



Former Real Madrid player Mesut Ozil sends his best wishes

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo sends his wished via Twitter 



David Beckham took on Instagram to wish his former Real teammate

 

FC Barcelona Are Champions For The Fifth Time!

On Saturday, 6th June, UEFA Champions League Final was played between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC. It was quite a showdown that ended with FCB rising to the occasion and winning the league title for the fifth time.

The evening began with an opening ceremony with colourful performances and a choir that sang the UCL anthem.

Opening ceremony at Olympiastadion, Berlin

The match was between the two awaiting treble winners- Serie A, Coppa Italia winners Juve and La Liga, Copa del Rey winners FCB. Both teams were zealous to become the champion of champions! the match began with an early goal by Ivan Rakitic with in the first five minutes. This goal was a joint effort by Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Neymar and Andreas Iniesta for who it was the third assist in UCL final.

The game seemed to subside in Barca's favour with a lead and domination in the first half. The Italian side were losing their patience as back fall in first half wasn't exactly their plan.

The second half began with a new and aggressive Juve who seemed determined to get and equalizer. Alvaro Morata came out to be the hailing saviour who scored one for Juve at 55th min.

Alvaro Morata scores the only goal for Juve

But the joy was short lived as Luis Suarez gain back the lead for Barca, all thanks to Messi. Messi charged in for a shot at goal which was wonderfully denied by Gianluigi Buffon. The threat wasn't over yet as Suarez wisely played to the opportunity and nicked the rebound in at 67th min.

Barca made sure that they would maintain the lead with good defending from Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique. A third goal was conceived a few minutes later by Neymar which was not given because of handball.

The match continued as both teams kept on punching on each others defence for another goal. But were unsuccessful. Match went on to extra time where Juve almost had a chance for a second goal but was denied. Neymar scored a late winner with a combo between Messi, Pedro and Neymar against Buffon. The match ends with the late 97th min goal.

Tevez, Pogba, Vidal each took multiple shots on goal but missed. Messi, though he couldn't score any goals, he was the magic maker who made these goals happen.

In the end, Juve just couldn't make the cut, resulting Barca to be the treble winners with 3-1 lead. It was a perfect ending to Xavi Hernandez's Barca career. A legendary ending fit for a legend. On the other hand, Andrea Pirlo who was also playing the last match for Zebre had to settle for duplet.

Xavi and Pirlo exchanging hugs post-match

The match followed festivities and celebrations. FC Barcelona were La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League winners of 2015.

For Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5jOb_Gb8pU

Barca hoist the CL cup



Xavi takes home the cup and the ball



Enrique celebrates with the team



MSN- Mess, Suarez and Neymar- proved to be the best forwards

FCB with the Copa del Rey cup, CL cup and La Liga cup



Neymar with a thankful prayer

One Down, Two To Go... FC Barcelona!

Messi's one goal outshines Ronald's hat-trick as FC Barcelona are crowned the winners of La Liga 2014/15.

On Saturday, FC Barcelona went head to head against Deportivo for a final face-off. Alongside was Real Madrid against Getafe, Los Blancos were second on the chart fighting for the title. Even though Barca topped the chart after their victory against Atletico Madrid, the last match was quite thrilling as Deportivo did not go down without a fight. Another reason why the match was a memorable match for all Barca fans was that it was the last match played on Camp Nou for Xavi Hernandez.
 
Before the match began Barca fans showed an amazing tifo in gratitude to the Barca legend Xavi.

Messi was the hailed saviour and proved why with his early goal at five minutes into the game. Deportivo held their ground as the match went to half time with Barca having a 1-0 lead. Luis Suarez missed the match due to injury caused during the match against Atletico Madrid. Thomas Vermaelen who was out of practically every game of the season due to injury, made his debut in the starting XI for Barca.
 
Second half showed clear signs of careless play form Barca after Messi scored a second at 59th minute. Sloppy defending lead to Barca renouncing the game when Deportivo scored  two goals from Lucas at 67th minute and at 76th minute by Salmao. The match kept on getting more and more thrilling at each stage... Especially in the last few minutes when the home team kept on drilling into Deportivo defence for an away goal.
 
Amidst all this excitement, Barca fans had their eyes stuck on home boy Xavi. Bracing themselves for a goodbye. Barca players were setting up Xavi for one last goal but fate had other plans. The match ended with a draw 2-2 and Barca were still two points atop arch-nemesis Real Madrid. The score table had FC Barcelona with 94 pts, Real Madrid with 92 pts and Atletico Madrid at 3rd place with 78 pts. The cup was home and captain of the evening Xavi Hernandes raised it high with his head held in pride.

The match followed celebration for the victory and tribute to Xavi. Luis Enrique, Iniesta and Xavi addressed Barca fans at Camp Nou during celebration. Xavi breaks down and began to cry as he expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support during his time at Barca.

For Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6tRVCCOxqU

FC Barcelona sure had a blast ahead of their Copa del Rey finals on 30th May against Athletic Bilbao and UEFA Champions league finals against Juvetus on 6th June 2015.



 

"Xavi is one of the world's best players over the past decade and he deserves to win what he will never have - a Ballon d'Or success".

-Jose Mourinho, Chelsea FC Coach and Portuguese Football Manager.