Iker Casillas announces retirement from football, according to a report

The former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper underwent surgery after suffering a heart attack while training with Porto on May 1

Porto's veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas has announced his retirement from football and will join the Portuguese club's board. Reuters

Iker Casillas has announced his retirement from football following a heart attack last month, according to a report in Portugal.

The former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper underwent surgery after suffering a heart attack while training with the Portuguese club on May 1.

It was expected that Casillas would retire at the end of the season, in which Porto finished second in the Primeira Liga, two points behind champions Benfica.

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Casillas will join the 28-time Portuguese champions' board of directors.

Casillas tweeted to the contrary on Thursday, saying he had made no official announcement of his future plans.

Casillas, 38, joined Porto in 2015, was admitted to a hospital in Porto last month after suffering what the Portuguese club called an "acute myocardial infarction" in training.

He was released days later, telling reporters he felt "much better" and that "it will be rest for a couple of weeks, or even a couple of months. The truth is that I don't care."

Casillas has 167 Spain caps, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships, and also played over 700 games for Real Madrid. He added the 2017/18 Portuguese title to go with the five Spanish league championships he secured at Madrid, as well as three Champions League titles and two Copa del Reys.

With such an experienced figurehead seemingly about to bring down the curtain on a long and illustrious 20-year playing career, Porto could turn their attentions to another great of the game.

Italian Gianluigi Buffon, 41, the 2006 World Cup winner, could fit the bill after being released by Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.