Real Madrid

Iker Casillas won the Prince of Asturias Award for Sport as part of a joint candidature with his Spain team-mate and Barcelona player Xavi Hernández. The two Spanish players, champions of the last European Championship in the Ukraine and Poland, won the vote against the other finalist, the International Paralympic Committee, by 11 votes to 7 and follow in footsteps of the athlete Haile Gebrselassie, who won in 2011. The award will be presented at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo on Friday 26th October. The jury found that both players "symbolise the values of friendship and camaraderie that go far beyond the rivalry of their respective teams" and that "their sporting conduct is an example to young people."

The Prince of Asturias Award honours Iker Casillas’ career and personal values and is further recognition of his successful career. At 31 years old and after 13 years in goal for Real Madrid, the captain has won, among other accolades, two Champions Leagues, two Intercontinental Cups, five leagues titles and a Copa del Rey. On top of that he has led the Euros-World Cup-Euros triple crown winning Spain team.

Casillas and Xavi’s joint candidature was presented by FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Both had already collected the award two years ago as part of the Spanish World Cups winning team who won the award in 2010, something that has never previously happened in the history of the prestigious award. Now, the jury chaired by former tennis player Arantxa Sánchez Vicario ruled in favour of the Real Madrid goalkeeper and the Barcelona midfielder.

The jury said that "both have achieved the top titles with clubs and with the Spanish national team, they are an example of fair play which is admired by everyone and, together, they have shown a conciliatory attitude that has broken down the traditional barriers between players and fans." It further indicates that "Iker and Xavi have maintained a close friendship since they won the u-20s World Cup with the national team in Nigeria in 1999 and over time this relationship has out grown the on-pitch rivalry and passion."

	Camiseta de Casillas en la tienda del Real Madrid para España
	Camiseta de Casillas en la tienda del Real Madrid Internacional