End is near for Casillas as Real fans turn on hero

Saturday began with the Spanish press full of tributes to Real Madrid club captain Iker Casillas on completing 15 years as a first-team player at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — with over 700 games for the club, and an enviable trophy haul including three Champions Leagues, five La Liga titles and two Copas del Rey.

Saturday ended with Casillas being questioned on Canal Plus TV station about the loud whistles which accompanied his almost every touch of the ball during his side’s painful 2-1 home defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid.

“The fans’ views are to be respected,” Casillas said. “If they feel the need to whistle, then we need to accept this. They’re entitled to complain and my way of responding is the only way I know — playing football.”