'It Was Hard To Have You As Rival,' Lionel Messi Hails Retiring Real Madrid Legend

Lionel Messi has hailed former Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas, who has retired from professional soccer.

Casillas’s decorated career, which spanned across two decades, saw him win the prestigious FIFA World Cup in 2010. He also led Spain to victories in two back to back European Championships in 2008 and 2012. The legendary goalkeeper, who joined Real Madrid’s youth system as a nine-year-old, went on to spend 16 years with the La Liga side where he struck a memorable rivalry with FC Barcelona’s Messi.

Messi and Casillas came face to face during the famous El Classico fixtures of La Liga and the Argentinian was easily the player who troubled renowned goalkeeper the most throughout his club career in Spain. However, the two iconic players have great respect for each other on and off the field.

According to the Spanish publication AS, Messi has sent out a message for former Real Madrid captain Casillas.

"Iker is retiring today, but he has passed into the history of football a long time ago, not only because he was a benchmark in the League, but also because he managed to win everything at the international level," Messi said.

Even Casillas never hesitated to admit how much he admired Messi’s talent. During an interview when Casillas was leaving Real Madrid in 2015 to join Porto, the shot-stopper was asked to name the best striker he had faced. To which, he replied, "The best striker I have ever faced? It is Messi. I have faced him many times and I have no doubts. I have had to experience it many times, both good and bad."

The same report from AS has also stated Messi has admitted it was "hard to have" Casillas as an opponent.

"You are a spectacular goalkeeper and the truth was that it was hard to have you as an opponent, but looking back I also think it was a pretty nice rivalry that made us have to outdo ourselves every time we faced each other, " added Messi.

Casillas spent his final soccer years at Porto, where he played four full seasons. He made 156 competitive appearances for the Portuguese club, where he won four trophies as well.