Football
Adriana Garcia 6y

Porto's Iker Casillas: Anfield draw could be my final Champions League game

Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas may have played his last Champions League game in Tuesday's goalless draw at Liverpool.

Casillas, 36, made his 178th UEFA club competition appearance, a record 167th in the Champions League, at Anfield and came up with five saves.

The Portuguese side exited the competition as they had fallen 5-0 at home to Liverpool in the first leg of the round of 16.

"It's clear that if it was [my last Champions League game], it would not be a bad way to end as Anfield is a spectacular stadium and it's a beautiful team to face," Casillas told Onda Cero radio. "We gave a good performance and we got a draw. We leave with our heads held high.

"As for me, the reality is that my contract with FC Porto ends in June. What the future holds, I don't know. I just want to focus on the season and enjoy it."

A three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Casillas' love affair with the competition began in November 1997 when, at the age of 16, he was taken out of school to be in Real Madrid's squad for a Champions League group game at Rosenborg.

However, he did not make his Champions League debut until almost two years later in a group game at Olympiakos.

He made a total of 150 Champions League appearances for Madrid before leaving the club in the summer of 2015 to sign for Porto.

"The Champions League is the biggest European competition, the best teams and the best players face each other," he said. "It has a certain charm. It's always difficult to reach the final and to win it.

"Every game is difficult to win. To have achieved three Champions League titles is amazing. I have a lot of fond memories in my 19 years in the competition, 21 if you consider when I was taken out of school. When I look back I'm very proud of my career."

Casillas, meanwhile, congratulated his former club for reaching the quarterfinals of the competition. Madrid beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in Paris on Tuesday to progress 5-2 on aggregate.

"Unfortunately the competition for us is over and we will now have to enjoy it watching it on TV from home," Casillas said. "I want to congratulate Real Madrid for coming through a very complicated tie. There are going to be great games and good ties coming up. I hope they can go all the way, which is to the final in Kiev."

As for Porto, Casillas, who has made 16 starts in all competitions this season, hopes his team can build on Tuesday's result and end the season strong.

Porto are five points clear of Benfica at the top of the Primeira Liga standings and hold a 1-0 advantage heading into next month's Portuguese Cup semifinal return leg against Sporting Lisbon.

"The result at Anfield should be a big motivation for us on the domestic front," Casillas said. "We still have three months left to play. "Considering all the affection the fans have shown me since I arrived in Portugal two and a half years ago, I would love to help the team win the domestic league.

"It has been four years since the club has won a title and people deserve it. We are focused on the league title. We also have the Portuguese Cup to look forward to."

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