Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas retires - career in pictures

Spanish goalkeeper calls time on career after being sidelined for more than a year with a heart problem

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the World Cup in 2010 after beating the Netherlands in South Africa. AFP

Iker Casillas poses with the trophies he won with Real Madrid after a press conference at the Bernabeu Stadium in 2015. AFP

Iker Casillas at the 2010 World Cup. Reuters

Iker Casillas is presented with the World Cup in 2010. Reuters

Iker Casillas makes a save during their 2010 World Cup final win against the Netherlands. Reuters

Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas lifts the Uefa Champions League trophy after they beat Atletico Madrid in 2014. PA

Iker Casillas after winning the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona at the Mestalla in Valencia in 2014. AFP

Iker Casillas after winning the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona at the Mestalla in Valencia in 2014. AFP

Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas heads clear during a clasico against Barcelona at Camp Nou in 2015. AFP

Porto's Iker Casillas ahead of the Champion League quarter-final first-leg against Liverpool at Anfield in 2019. Reuters

Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas takes a catch during a Primeira Liga match against Sporting Lisbon in 2019. AFP

Iker Casillas, right, celebrates with teammate Santi Cazorla during Spain's victorious 2008 European Championship campaign. Getty

Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas during their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool at the Dragao stadium in 2019. AP

Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas punches clear during a Champions League group stage game at home to Basel in 2014. Getty

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas during the 2000/01 season. Reuters

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after winning the 2012 European Championship final against Italy in Kiev. EPA

Iker Casillas during training ahead of the Euro 2012 final against Italy. AFP

Former Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas announced his retirement on Tuesday, after being sidelined for more than a year with a heart problem.

Casillas, 39, helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and two successive European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He played 167 times for his country in a golden era for Spanish football.

He made 725 appearances for Real during a 16-year career at the Bernabeu, winning three Champions League titles and five La Liga crowns.

"Today is both one of the most important and most difficult days of my sporting life, the time to say goodbye has arrived," he said on Twitter.

"The important thing is the path you travel and the people who accompany you, not the destination to which it takes you.

"I think I can say, without hesitation, that it has been the path and the dream destination."

Casillas joined Portuguese side Porto in 2015 after a tearful departure from Madrid. He suffered a heart attack in May last year.

"The best goalkeeper in the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football joined us at the age of 9. He was formed here and defended our shirt for 25 years, becoming one of our most emblematic captains of all time," the club said in a statement.

"Today one of the most important footballers in our 118 years of history calls it a day as a professional player, a player we love and admire, a goalkeeper who has made the Real Madrid legacy bigger with his work and exemplary behaviour both on and off the pitch."

Former club and country team-mate Sergio Ramos was among many players to praise the veteran, nicknamed 'The Saint', on social media.

"Football thanks you, man. Forever a legend @IkerCasillas," Ramos tweeted.