Arsenal star names Real Madrid legend as his role model – ‘He was my hero’ | OneFootball

A lot is said about Spain’s super team that won the FIFA World Cup and the Euros being predominantly composed of players from Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

One key cog of the team without whom the success would not be possible, undoubtedly, is Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.

From his debut for Los Blancos in 1999 to his departure in 2015, the player proved himself to be one of the best in the world in his position and carved out a special place in history. Many, in fact, regard him as the best goalkeeper of all time.

Spain GK talks about Casillas

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Arsenal goalkeeper and Spanish international David Raya confessed his admiration of Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas and how he looked up to his proficiency as a shot-stopper.

“Casillas, what he did with the national team in that winning cycle made him my reference point. He was my hero. I used to watch his reflexes a lot, the way he jumped, he looked like a cat and that aura he had,” he began.

David Raya sees Iker Casillas as his role model. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

“With Real Madrid he didn’t get a shot in the whole game and in the 90th minute he’d pull off a save to win it,” he added, emphasising how difficult it was to stay connected with the game throughout.

Elaborating on the same, he spoke on how that particular attribute was critical for any goalkeeper who aspired to reach the stars.

“He was connected in a whole game without doing anything and he ended up making two incredible hands in the last few minutes. It’s something very difficult to achieve and very important for a big club or the national team.”

The 29-year-old is currently Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper, a position Casillas dominated for over a decade, and has done a fine job in filling in the Real Madrid legend’s shoes.

Source: Mundo Deportivo