By Umid.
Casillas introduced himself to the World like that: those eye-popping saves against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final and beingSpain ’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.
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.
Always.
 |
| Iker Leading Real To Their First La Liga Title Since 2008 |
Casillas introduced himself to the World like that: those eye-popping saves against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final and being
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 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.
