Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has told new FC Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas that his performances will determine whether he continues to be first choice for the country.
Casillas, 34, left Real Madrid after 25 years at the club to join FC Porto at the weekend in a bid to prolong his ambition of starting as No. 1 and ensure his place in Spain's squad.
"Casillas will go to the national team if he is [playing] well," Del Bosque told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope: "To be a starter with us will depend on his performances. Other players have moved to a different league and are still playing [for the national team]. I believe he will do well at FC Porto."
Casillas' stiffest competition is likely to come from Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, who has played a secondary role in the national team for the past year but is a reported target to replace him at Real Madrid this summer.
Since making his senior debut with Spain in 2000, Casillas has made 162 appearances for La Roja and has won plenty of silverware as a World Cup winner and two-time European champion with Spain, while also picking up five Primera Division titles, three Champions League trophies and two Copa del Rey crowns for his club.
Del Bosque, a former Real player, coached Casillas at the club from 1999-2003 and insists that the man who made 725 appearances would even take on a limited role for his country if asked.
"Real Madrid have had players that have left a mark in the history of the club but without a doubt, among the greatest is Iker Casillas," Del Bosque said. "Above all, I would highlight his humility. In the last Spain meeting, Casillas said I could even count on him even as a third-choice keeper."
Del Bosque, whose contract with Real was not renewed in June 2003 despite having led the club that season to the Spanish league title, refused to comment on how Real had dealt with the departure of Casillas.
The Spanish giants have received criticism from the media around the world and from their former players and fans for their handling of a club legend, but Del Bosque added: "I don't judge Madrid's behaviour, I'm here to judge Iker's career."