Iker Casillas was forced out Real Madrid by club president Florentino Perez, according to departing captain's parents 

  • Real Madrid announced that Iker Casillas has agreed move to Porto
  • Departing captain turned down Santiago Bernabeu send off opportunity
  • According to player's parents, he has been forced out by Florentino Perez
  • Jose Luis and Mari Carmen claim club's president has treated him badly
  • Casillas's mother suggested goalkeeper is too good for Portuguese side
  • Goalkeeper due to hold a farewell news conference later on Sunday
  • READ: Casillas breaks down in tears as he bids farewell to Real Madrid

Departing Real Madrid captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas was forced out by club president Florentino Perez and is too good to play for a 'third-tier' side like Porto, his parents were quoted as saying on Sunday.

Real announced on Saturday that Casillas, 34, was leaving after 16 seasons in the first team to join the Portuguese club and his exit is widely expected to prompt the arrival of the decade-younger David De Gea from Manchester United.

Real published a glowing homage to Casillas on their website, calling him 'the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the club and in the history of Spanish football' and 'a symbol of the best in our history'.

Departing Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas was forced out by club president Florentino Perez, his parents say

Departing Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas was forced out by club president Florentino Perez, his parents say

Madrid took to Twitter to post this graphic to thank legendary goalkeeper Casillas for his service to the club

Madrid took to Twitter to post this graphic to thank legendary goalkeeper Casillas for his service to the club

However, in an interview with daily El Mundo, Casillas's parents Jose Luis and Mari Carmen said their son, with whom they have a troubled relationship, had been badly treated by Perez since he returned for a second stint as president in 2009.

Casillas had been the victim of an orchestrated campaign of 'vilification' in recent years which eventually prompted his decision to quit, they added.

Perez wanted to bring in Juventus and Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon instead of Casillas as he preferred taller players, El Mundo quoted Mari Carmen as saying.

He was also upset about a financial dispute with Casillas which prompted the player to take legal action against the club in 2009, the parents added.

Jose Luis and Mari Carmen told Spanish Media the club's president (left) has treated Casillas (right) badly

Jose Luis and Mari Carmen told Spanish Media the club's president (left) has treated Casillas (right) badly

Casillas won three Champions League winner's medals and five La Liga titles during his time at Real Madrid

Casillas won three Champions League winner's medals and five La Liga titles during his time at Real Madrid

Casillas kisses the Champions League trophy after Real's success in the Champions League final last year

Casillas kisses the Champions League trophy after Real's success in the Champions League final last year

Real did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

'Iker has put up with a great deal, he has suffered psychological pressure and they treated him differently to other players,' Mari Carmen told El Mundo.

'I have watched him suffer for many years. It is Florentino who is pushing him out because he wanted to end his career at Real Madrid.'

Casillas's mother said former European champions Porto were not prestigious enough for her son, who won three Champions Leagues titles with Real and captained Spain to triumphs at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.

Casillas' move to Portuguese side Porto could speed up David de Gea's proposed move to the La Liga club

Casillas' move to Portuguese side Porto could speed up David de Gea's proposed move to the La Liga club

'It (Porto) is a third-tier team for someone of Iker's stature,' Mari Carmen told the paper.

'A world champion can't end up at Porto. He could have gone wherever he wanted and I wouldn't have cared if it had been Barcelona because they are gentlemen.'

Casillas is due to hold a farewell news conference at the Bernabeu stadium later on Sunday. 

 

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