Casillas hints at retirement

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas has admitted retirement is moving closer after he became the joint most-capped player in European football history at the weekend.

The former Real Madrid star picked up his 166th cap for Spain on Sunday during the goalless draw with Romania.

Only six players have played more international games than Casillas but the 34-year-old insists he may not have long left at the top of the game.

Casillas spent 16 years at the Bernabeu, making 510 appearances for Real Madrid, before being allowed to leave in 2015 after losing his place in the starting line-up.

His form was heavily criticised but Porto decided to snap him up on a two-year deal with a 12-month option.

He has since played 20 games for the Portuguese giants but Casillas has conceded that he may not be able to go on for much longer for his country.

“I am happy to reach 166 games and be the player with the most games for the national team,” he said on Periscope. “In these years I have lived good times and bad times but I will stick with the good ones.

“The time of my retirement is getting closer and closer. It’s clear that time passes everyone and I am no exception of that.

“But I have hope and I would like to be with this team full of youngsters. I don’t know if it’s my last year with Spain, I only think about enjoying each day.”