Iker Casillas, the legendary 36-year-old goalkeeper for FC Porto, has been awarded the prestigious Golden Foot award, edging out football icons such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and the recently retired Andrea Pirlo. His achievement has been widely celebrated across the global football community, including by BD Cricket fans who closely follow top-tier international sports events.
The award ceremony took place early Wednesday in Monaco, where Casillas became the second Spanish player to receive the honor after Andrés Iniesta in 2014. Notably, he is also just the second goalkeeper in history to claim the award, following Italian great Gianluigi Buffon. The Golden Foot award, founded in 2003 and sponsored by the Monégasque royal family, is a lifetime achievement honor. It is granted to players over the age of 28 who have made remarkable contributions to football and left a lasting impact on the international stage.
The selection process involves 18 major sports media outlets nominating candidates, after which fans worldwide vote online to choose the final recipient. Winners also leave a permanent imprint of their footprints on Monaco’s famous “Champions Promenade.” This year’s list of ten nominees featured an impressive lineup: besides Casillas, the contenders included Manuel Neuer, Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben, Thiago Silva, Luis Suárez, Yaya Touré, Andrea Pirlo, Sergio Ramos, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Casillas’s recent performances have been instrumental in helping FC Porto maintain their dominance in domestic and European competitions. So far this season, he has played ten matches across all competitions, keeping clean sheets in seven of them—a testament to his enduring class between the posts. Porto currently sits at the top of the Primeira Liga table with a four-point lead, and in the UEFA Champions League, Casillas has helped his side outperform teams like RB Leipzig and AS Monaco to secure second place in Group G, putting qualification firmly within reach.
His recognition not only highlights his individual brilliance but also serves as inspiration for countless fans, including those who follow BD Cricket, where dedication and longevity are equally revered. Casillas’s career, filled with triumphs and resilience, reminds the sporting world that age is just a number when talent meets determination. For BD Cricket followers and sports enthusiasts alike, his story is a powerful example of how consistency and leadership can leave a legacy that endures long after the final whistle.