Tuesday 31 March 2015 11:49, UK
Iker Casillas would retire from international football if Spain made David De Gea their No 1 goalkeeper, says Terry Gibson.
The Real Madrid stopper started in Spain’s 1-0 win over Ukraine on Friday night to the surprise of many after De Gea’s fine form for Manchester United.
And with Casillas’ future at Real Madrid also unknown, Gibson insists De Gea should be Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque’s first choice.
He told La Liga Weekly Podcast: “I understand the clamour for De Gea to become No 1, but it appears Del Bosque is going to stick with Casillas.
“For a goalkeeper, 33 is no age and he has withstood pressure in the past from other great goalkeepers, notably Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina, but there hasn’t ever been pressure for the coach to make a change.
“In every aspect De Gea should be the goalkeeper now, but how do you go about doing it? Is Casillas going to be the second choice?”
Gibson believes Casillas, who has earned 161 caps for Spain and has won three major trophies, would not be satisfied travelling with the side as No 2 goalkeeper.
“I can’t see Casillas travelling all around the world and being back-up goalkeeper. It will have to be the same situation with club and country.
“If Real Madrid want a new goalkeeper then Casillas will have to go, and if Spain want a new goalkeeper then it will have to be retirement for Casillas from international football.”
