The Barcelona midfielder Xavi has said that he feels that the Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas should be one of the candidates capable of winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or award this year. No goalkeeper has previously lifted this award, but the Barcelona midfielder reckons that it is time people start to appreciate the achievements of Iker Casillas both at club and international level. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been hugely successful in his career after winning all the major trophies with Real Madrid, while he also has one World Cup and two European Championship titles with the Spanish national team.
This makes him one of the most successful footballers in the world. As a result, the jury that gives out in the FIFA Ballon d’Or every year to the most successful player should take into consideration the achievements of Iker Casillas. Normally, defenders and goalkeepers do not win this award, but the former Real Madrid and Italy defender Cannavaro is the only person to have lifted this award. Iker Casillas comes on the back of a hugely successful season that not only saw him lift the league title with Real Madrid, but also the European championship with the Spanish national team as well.
“It’s true that he’s a bit boring. He is the type of player who unites a team, though. I don’t think there’s any need to discuss his footballing qualities. Evidently Iker should be among the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or. I think that had a lot to do with it. There was more tension than was normal and I’m sure that the way we eased that tension helped us win this prize. We just spoke about the issues and then that was it,” said Xavi in recent interview. Real Madrid and Barcelona share an extreme rivalry that stretches many years.