Euro 2012: Incredible Footage of Iker Casillas Asking Ref to End Game Early

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas is incredible.

After going 509 minutes without a goal for the tournament and setting a record by winning 100 international matches, Casillas showed just how important sportsmanship still is in the modern game.

Casillas had been largely untroubled by Italy in its Euro 2012 final encounter and Spain had been dominant over its rivals throughout the entire match, building to a 4-0 lead late in the match.

Most players would be celebrating and enjoying the moment, but not Casillas.

Incredible footage has emerged of the goalkeeper walking over to the referee—asking him to get rid of the injury time and blow the final whistle. And not just because he wanted to start celebrating earlier, but out of respect for their rivals, who were down to 10 men and being demolished all over the pitch.

Casillas can be clearly heard saying "respect for the rival, respect for Italy" before repeating the current score to the referee, who promptly blew the whistle for full-time.

He even shook hands with the referee—showing that he is a deserved champion of the tournament and that sportsmanship is still prevalent in the modern game.

Respect, Iker. Respect.

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