Iker Casillas – Always There For Everyone In Their Hour Of Need, But Some Aren't There For Him....

By Umid.

In the hour of need, he is there. Whether it is by making a jaw-dropping match-winning save or as a shoulder to cry on; he is there.

Iker Leading Real To Their First La Liga Title Since 2008

Always.

Casillas introduced himself to the World like that: those eye-popping saves against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final and being Spain’s saviour against Ireland in the 2002 World Cup Round Of 16 in the shoot-out – it was the beginning of something great, something epic.

And since then Casillas has saved Spain and Real Madrid many times with his astute goalkeeping.

But it was in Euro 2008 when we saw the true leader in him. Leading Spain to its first ever major championship triumph since the long forgotten 1964 European Championship conquest, Casillas showed to the World a side of his which many didn’t think he had: a leader.

Leading Spain To Glory For AThird Consecutive Time

Often accused of being too quiet and nice to make a good leader, Casillas has proven all of those critics wrong by leading Spain consecutive Euro and a World Cup wins. He also lead Real Madrid to their first ever league title since 2008 – these feats wouldn’t have been possible if Casillas wasn’t a good leader.

It is his personality as a Human, however, that makes him such a lovable person.

On Tuesday when Real Madrid were drawing 2-2 against City with just injury time to go, there was nervousness. Losing 2 points at the Bernabeu is never pleasing – and certainly not at all when Real are in the toughest group in this year’s CL.

Then, suddenly, everything paused. It was as if time stopped itself to witness that moment. That moment was when Cristiano cut inside from the left and shot…. Kompany’s presence blocked Hart’s view and the ball went into the net.

3-2 Real Madrid.

Every Real Madrid fan – every – were celebrating as if they just won the Champions League. Rafael Nadal, who was watching the game from the VIP box, jumped out of his seat in exhilaration. Jose Mourinho sunk his knees into the wet grass and slid on it, so did Cristiano – the scorer, the joybringer.

Extreme Joy For Mou And Cristiano

But there was one-man on the Real Madrid side who didn’t even move. Showed no emotions. Showed no thrill. That man was the captain himself: Iker Casillas.

A lot of things were written about it, a lot of theories, a lot of stories, some even doubting his Madridismo.

Unanimated Iker After Cristiano's Winner

But no-one knew the true reason. All of them were just assuming. And most of the assumptions were, in fact, proven wrong when the real truth behind Casillas not celebrating came out.

Iker didn’t celebrate because just hours before the Real-City game, his 14 year-old Polish friend, Dawid Zapisek, died after suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and he wanted to show the little kid respect by not celebrating.

Dawid’s ultimate dream was to meet Iker “before dying in peace” and his dream came true when Iker met him in Poland during the European Championship. Iker expressed his sadness via his Facebook page, posting "my most sincere condolences to his family; rest in peace, my friend" on his status.

Dawid With His Idol, Iker

Iker Casillas also articulated his grief on Dawid’s death via Real Madrid’s official website (which you can read here).

Iker didn’t know Dawid for a long time, yet he was touched by his death: this just goes to show what a wonderful Human being Iker is. Casillas didn’t celebrate at that time because he was paying homage to Dawid; whose body was beneath a willow drapery, whose soul was waiting for the boatman to get him across the slarlit waters where dreamscapes are golden.

The boatman has, by now, done that – which boatman wouldn’t do so to a soul who met a saint just before it released itself from the materialistic body?

This is not the first time Iker has shown what an amazing Human being he is. He has made several charities to the people in need, always been humble, always been modest, always been equal to everyone and always been a symbol of Humanity.

And yet, once again, some Real Madrid fans want him to be removed as Real’s captain, instead of being grateful for having a great person like him as captain, because he is too nice and kind – such sad is this World that kindness and being nice isn’t good anymore if you want to lead a team. But, well, Iker will prove them all wrong – just like he has done before.

Iker won't, and shouldn't, change himself just because some Madridistas want him to –  he will stay true to his identity; the identity which made him a symbol of Real Madrid, Spain and Humanity.

Iker Casillas was, perhaps, sent by God on this Earth to be there for everyone in their hour of need.

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Ruben de la Red – The Star That Faded Before It Could Shine….

By Umid Dey.

29^th June, 2008. Spain had just won the Euro 2008 – their first ever major International title since the long forgotten 1964 Euro triumph.

The players were ecstatic. Every Spaniard was celebrating. Every Spaniard was sensing a start of a Golden Era. And almost every Spaniard was expecting Ruben de la Red to be a part of it.

De la Red Kissing The Euro 2008 Trophy

De la Red himself was celebrating like a small child after getting presented with chocolates. He was proud that he was in the squad that won a major trophy after years. He may not have played a big part in it, but he scored a goal against Greece to help Spain just overcome them 2-1.

Things were looking bright for Mostoles-born man. He was returning to Real Madrid after a great season at Getafe where he helped them achieve a respectable 14^th place finish.

He had all the qualities you could ask from a central midfielder: he could tackle, had a great defensive positional sense, had a great vision, was an excellent passer, was tireless and had an eye for goal. He was a complete package.

His route to glory wasn’t such an easy one, of course. He arrived at Real’s youth academy at the age of 14. After relentless amount of hard-work and dedication, he finally got his debut with the first team on November 10, 2004.

Ruben Flying High

The talent he had was apparent and, in order to polish it, he was transferred to Getafe with a buy-back clause. Real activated the buy-back clause to bring their youth product back just after one season at Getafe.

A lot of Madridistas were thrilled by this – Madridistas love their canteranos a lot and Ruben was one of their apple-eye – even though it was reported that he would be used in a swap deal to bring in some other player. They were all looking up to him in hope that he was the man who could finally replace Claude Makelele because they knew he had the capability to do so.

But, the journey ended before it could even get started.

On 30^th October, 2008. Real Madrid took on Real Union at the Bernabeu in a Copa del Rey clash. Then the unthinkable happened; fans at the Bernabeu – and across the World – were in shock. Madridistas were in tears. Ruben de la Red collapsed on the ground, motionless, fighting for his life.

No matter how hard they try, that moment would forever stick in Madridistas’ minds.

Every second felt like an hour. Every passing second added more pain & fear in Madridistas. Every Madridista was feeling helpless – their dear one was battling death and they could do nothing but pray....

There were prayers all around; even an Atheist Madridista might have prayed to God that night for the well-being of Ruben’s health. And God listened to those prayers as it was soon revealed that Ruben was in a better condition; he had survived, he had beaten death like a true warrior he is.

Madridistas now were hoping that they could see their beloved Ruben back on the field, playing for their beloved Club. But further tests on his heart condition convinced the doctors that he could’t play Football anymore because it would be risky for his health.

And on 4^th of November, 2010, he announced his retirement from Football – Ruben’s heart broke the hearts of a lot of his fans. His heart, which had Real Madrid in it, wouldn't let him play for Real again. God doesn’t fulfill all wishes – he playing again for Real Madrid was one of them.

And Madridistas' hearts still beat for you, Ruben

"I had to retire because of a problem with my heart, but my heart still beats for Real Madrid,” an emotional Ruben de la Red told in his farewell press-conference. Ruben continued, "I want to start giving my support to all those athletes who have suffered like me, who have had their dreams cut short sooner than expected. I advise them to look ahead as I am doing.”

These words could only come out from a man who fiercely loved his Club – Ruben wore the crest of Real Madrid in his heart. His love for Real Madrid – and Football – can’t be told highly of enough; he accepted the offer of Real Madrid to continue with the Club as its youth coach.

In Ruben de la Red the player, the Football World not only lost a great player with immense talent, but also a great & classy professional who never gave less than his 100% on the field. And Madridistas lost the charm of their Club.

Oh, what a player he could have been.

This story, however, doesn’t end here. Ruben de la Red is now working with the Real Madrid youth academy and also wants a coaching degree. He might as well go on to become the manager of Real Madrid one day and fulfill his dreams which he couldn't as a player.

In almost every fairy-tale we have read in our lives, the ending has been a happy one. And here is hoping that the ending here will be the same as well.

But one thing is for sure; Ruben's heart still beats for Real Madrid, and Madridistas' hearts still beat for him.

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