Iker Casillas has recalled how financial difficulties affected his early football career, saying he could not afford goalkeeper gloves and relied on his father to repair them.
The former Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper made the revelation during a discussion with young goalkeepers at Real Madrid’s academy, known as La Fabrica. Casillas is now president of Kings League team 1K.
“I didn’t even have money to buy goalkeeper gloves,” Casillas said. “In fact, it was my father who took my gloves and patched them up layer by layer on the palms.”
Casillas also remembered playing on poor-quality pitches as a youngster and the reaction he received when he returned home.
“I played on dirt pitches and came home covered in mud,” he said. “My mother often scolded me because my shoes were unbelievably dirty.”
His parents, Jose Luis Casillas and Maria del Carmen Fernandez, described their son’s upbringing in an interview with El Pais.
Jose Luis said friends had encouraged him to take Casillas to Real Madrid after noticing his ability.
“My friends told me, ‘Jose, what a talented kid; take him to Real Madrid.’ So I did,” he said.
Casillas was placed in a youth competition after joining the club. He played for a side called Losada and, two months later, travelled to France for a youth tournament. The team reached the final against Benfica but lost in a penalty shootout.
His father also recalled how Casillas combined football with his education. He achieved “excellent” grades at primary school and received “good” marks during his first year of secondary education.
“Later, he started travelling frequently, but he still completed his third year of secondary education,” Jose Luis said.
Casillas had enrolled in business administration, although his father was uncertain whether he would be able to complete the course.
“I don’t know if he’ll be able to finish it later,” Jose Luis said. Casillas ultimately did not complete a university degree.
He joined Real Madrid at the age of 18 and went on to leave a lasting impression on the club. Casillas said he would never forget making his debut at San Mames.
He remained with Real Madrid until he was 34, having spent his formative years progressing from difficult beginnings to becoming one of the club’s most recognisable goalkeepers.
