The documentary series 'Hanging the Wings' by Movistar + issued its third chapter today after its great success at last week's premiere, when Iker Casillas recalled, among other things, his heart attack. On this occasion, 'El Santo' recalls one of the key moments of his career, such as his direct participation in the 8th and 9th Real Madrid European Cup, with tough competition with César Sánchez, the replacement, and his final take-off with Spain in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
Complicated beginnings at Real Madrid: “I remember that César was signed, but at that time he was on loan to Valladolid. I'm progressing, a game, yes, a game too. I knew what was coming, but internally I had no fear. If I was phenomenal with Real Madrid, well I wanted to do it best”.
Road to the 8th: “Manchester, the current European champions, came to us. We got a good result. Then we went to Old Trafford, with a round match. That day it was as if we were playing in the Puerta Bonita field. Later, against Bayern. I had never experienced one. Champions semi-finals, it was huge, I wasn't as fine as I was at Old Trafford, but it was unforgettable.
Final against Valencia: “It was like knowing that everything was going to be okay. I saw myself above the situation.”
Arrival of César Sánchez and his “rivalry”
Competition with César Sánchez: “The competition is greater. But the best thing that could happen to me was competing with César. He made me mature, he was 10 years old. It wasn't very healthy, but it was very good. It's difficult to get along when the competition between goalkeepers is there. Me He was perfectly afraid of César. He had just had very good seasons at Valladolid. But it turns out that Madrid win the Champions League and a kid like that raises the European Cup. “
Last month: “Vicente (Del Bosque) opts for César. I don't know if once the most important moments arrived, people didn't trust me so much. I know that I lose the title and I didn't know what was going to happen in the future.”
Casillas and César, unhealthy relationship: “I did not go to annoy anyone. At the age of 20, he had no evil. He was not a person who was screwing Cesar. It marked us quite a bit. We didn't have a very fluid relationship. With me since I was little, everyone has always known me. I know that he did not have a good time. I did not feel that I had done something very wrong to leave the team, but it is something that makes you mature. “
On the way to Glasgow and the 9th: “We lost 2-1 (quarter-final first leg against Bayern), which César saved until a penalty, with a very good performance. And I remember the Camp Nou game, which Cesar made another spectacular game, with a save to Kluivert.”
Definitive explosion with Madrid and Spain
Final against Leverkusen and Cesar's injury: “The doctor comes out, he recovers … But Vicente tells me” Iker, warm up. “ I wasn't even looking at Manuel (goalkeeping coach) I see him yell at me. I didn't have my boots on or my sleeves cut off. My heart began to go a thousand an hour, Vicente driving me crazy, Grande yelling at me … Me saying that with long sleeves I can't go out, and in the end they won't cut them. There is a moment that I don't like, when Cesar comes out injured and I give him a glancing hug. I don't like it, but mostly on my part. My entrance is nervous. I am at a moment when I hear my name chanted in Hampden Park. I haven't played for two months, let's see how I react. In the first action, one facilitates a detour to a corner. In that same corner, he passes the ball in front of everyone, and I think Berbatov shoots with the entire goal empty. I don't know why, but I knew it was going to stop her. I kick it out and immediately there's another corner. Fernando (Hierro) was involved, and I don't even know how he got it, if with his knee, his foot … And, without wanting to, you go from two months without playing to winning a Champions League. I had been standing for two months, I didn't know what I was going to do with my life. I was very sad, I did not feel like a participant at all. He cried and cried, he did nothing else. With so many tears I did not appreciate that moment well. “
Call for the World Cup in Korea and Japan: “Two days after finishing, I receive a call to my house. Iker, that you are possibly going to play the World Cup in Japan and Korea. And playing an event like this makes you grow. On top of that, I stop the penalties against Ireland (eighth)”.
Furthermore, the own Cesar Sanchez leaves one of the most striking and striking phrases of the entire third chapter, where he assures that he would not change anything in the past. “Mand I would injure again the same minute I did it. “