Best of 2010: The tears of the Holy

We all agree that among the Twenty-three of South Africa, the hero who had to bear more weight on his shoulders was Iker Casillas, the captain. After two difficult years in his club reached the World undergoing an absurd controversy cooked enriched in Barcelona and Madrid: the alleged Valdés candidacy for the post of goalkeeper. In the first game against Switzerland lost unexpectedly high thanks to all the rebounds and some Iker discussed the choice of going out with feet first.

But the worst was yet to come. An English pamphlet, with millions of readers, yes, wanted to be noticed at the expense of Casillas and took a shit composed of several paragraphs in which Sara Carbonero accused of being to blame for the goalkeeper was not focused. In Spain, with the noble exception of some fool to three, no credit offered to the matter, but it gave fuel to the controversy, showing that the illness is tied to football as the favorite sport of the Spanish.

Iker is human and not passed it well. As the goalkeeper and captain of Real Madrid and the selection has a shell that protects it from all the stupid things are said, but in this case went beyond mere football mess and went directly into the personal. Iker suffered in his flesh the worst nightmare of an elite soccer player, that his family is affected by their work. Sara Carbonero, although it is a public figure was involved in a soap opera that is not deserved and Casillas ran the risk of being eaten by impotence.

Already in the second round, the unpredictable Jabulani found him tickling a free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo, forcing the Spanish goalkeeper to get rid of him an unorthodox manner. After beating Portugal's fans had regained confidence in his team, but there was still a rumor regarding the status of Casillas.

Then came the quarter, against Paraguay, and on 59 minutes Piqué caused a penalty that, if checked, would things uphill battle for La Roja. And then, when it is most needed, the wounded man again become The Ghost and the penalty stood. That remains the best goalkeeper in the world have the humility of being advised by a friend and, eventually, is played all his cards on that board, further enhances your figure. After suffering the penalties of Xabi Alonso, with a goal from Villa on 83, Iker did suppress emotion and kept his concentration. Otherwise would not have been able to stop the double occasion was when the clock Paraguay he had just one minute.

In the semifinals Spain gave a bath to the German team but still the Germans disposed of their cases. All of them were answered in the person of Casillas: Sorry, herren, but the final is ours. When Puyol flew over the stadium turf and Moses Mabhida header crossed the German goalkeeper, Iker's eyes welled instantly, but managed not to cry, still missing a step to glory.

In the final against Holland, Casillas watched from afar as the cunning of the Oranje massacred kick yours, and worse, Spain could not with his rival, could not fully impose their rhythm and the chances did not fall. Then came 61 minutes. A seemingly harmless ball in midfield came to the foot of Sneijder, who put in long at Robben to end cogiera him back to Puyol and Pique and planted just before Casillas. Captain was not daunted at the most delicate and stood motionless and imposing statue of a cathedral. When at last defeated a second hand, still had time to put the foot to repair that Robben had stuck to his right and with the outside of the foot touched the balljust enough to save in extremis.
Twenty minutes later Robben turned to look at but this time, with the invaluable help of Puyol, Dutch did not have time to shoot before El Santo was launched at his feet to snatch the chance. Came the extension and the minutes were running. The lottery of penalties was looming on the horizon and Iker was obliged to get down to work to prepare to do another miracle. But four minutes from time Andresito marked the mythical goal that gave the title to Spain . And at that point could no longer restrain Iker more and, when even the match was over, the tears began to emerge from his eyes like a spring.

After the final whistle, the vast majority of the members of La Red ran to hug him. The goal had marked Iniesta and on subsequent days, and even now, in every field in which he plays, would be given full honors. But in those first moments the only thing left to him was Victor Valdes. Everyone else-at least those who had not fallen victim to the emotions-they went to hug Casillas, the captain, and no one left his side to spend a few seconds to help you get everything that was inside. Iker continued crying while the entire coaching staff and the Dutch hoped to receive the metal they deserved. And a second after going after lifting the cup as captain, came to mourn. And when a while later he found himself in front of his girlfriend, returned for Engagement want to mourn, but this time managed to make a dribble and took revenge on the idiots club with a kiss that went around the world.

Iniesta's goal and celebration of showing his remembrance of Dani Jarque never forget me, but tears of Iker Casillas, the Holy Martyr, are, for me, the image of the tournament. Xavi symbolizes our style but Casillas is the representative of the Golden Generation of Spanish football. Her tears are not those of any man, but have a special kind: they are those that shed only heroes, which we all remember his exploits but many forget their sorrows.

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