Casillas reveals respect for Barcelona

Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2012 by ESPN

Iker Casillas has admitted that he respects Pep Guardiola and Barcelona, but is only interested in Real Madrid’s recent and future successes.

After leading Spain to the Euro 2012 title, Casillas revealed that he respects his international colleagues from the Catalan side and what their previous manager achieved, but winning everything at club level is all that matters to him.

"I respect Barcelona and what Guardiola does, but what interests me is Real Madrid and trying to win all possible competitions," he "said.

"We will start the season in a good way, facing Valencia, a team that plays very well and that always makes things very difficult. The goal is to keep winning titles.

"I want to win the four competitions with Madrid: the Spanish Supercopa, La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League."

"Clearly victory in the Champions League for Real Madrid would be very special as it would be the tenth success. Last season we were at the gates of the final of the Champions League; this campaign we want to play in it, and of course win."

The 31-year-old's name is being mentioned as one of the candidates for the Ballon d'Or title after a successful season where he won the La Liga and Euro 2012 as a captain and he can be the only second keeper after USSR's Lev Yashin to win the accolade, which is dominated by midfielder and strikers.

Casillas insists that the award should go to the person who deserves it the most but is nevertheless pleased to be mentioned in association with the prestigious prize.

"The Ballon d'Or should be won by the player most deserving," he stated at a press conference in Houston, Texas.

"Now they say that I can win it, but it`s not something that I obsess over."

"Clearly, goalkeepers are not well appreciated in this type of awards, but I think we have the same right to win the Ballon d'Or as any of the other players take the field in every game."

"[Soviet legend Lev] Yashin has won the Ballon d`Or previously; why not another keeper?" he stated.