Iker Casillas Opens Up on Stormy Jose Mourinho Relationship at Real Madrid

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has admitted he kept quiet "for the good of the club" when Jose Mourinho was in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mourinho dropped the long-time No. 1—saying he liked Diego Lopez "more" than the Spanish World Cup winner—in a string of events that has seen Casillas' loss of form stretch across the past three seasons.

He remained quiet while Mourinho's tenure elapsed, but he decided to open up in a tell-all interview with Inaki Gabilondo of Canal+, as reported by Marca:

"

Maybe I should have answered Mourinho, but I decided to zip it for the good of the club. I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. Strangely enough after those press conferences, we didn't speak. It wasn't a good relationship and each of us went our separate ways.

I would come in every day when I was injured and as soon as I recovered, Mr (Aitor) Karanka said that I was unfit for competition and that's when I felt they had a problem with me.

"

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Speculation suggested Casillas could have been a mole inside Mourinho's dressing room. Leaking information may have seen the Portuguese manager ousted from power with greater haste, but this is something the goalkeeper vehemently denies, per Goal.com's tweet:

Casillas remained out of the La Liga side during Carlo Ancelotti's first season in charge. He was almost exclusively used in cup competitions, and perhaps coincidentally, Los Blancos captured both the Champions League and Copa del Rey with him in the team.

He was restored to the starting league line-up upon Lopez's transfer to AC Milan at the start of the current season but poor form has followed. Inconsistent games, injuries and a noticeable lack of confidence have deteriorated his game, all of which came to an alarming conclusion during the summer's World Cup.

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Madrid fans are proving impatient with their long-time servant. Casillas has been subjected to jeers from the local support in recent weeks, despite having helped the club to every trophy worth winning across his professional career. "It hurts," said the stopper, reported by AS, "The public are free to do what they want but it also hurts."

Casillas' team-mates have defended his performances. Sergio Ramos reminded supporters Casillas "is not a robot and the whistles affect him," reported by The Guardian.

Madrid legend Hugo Sanchez believes the goalkeeper should be celebrated, saying he has posted an "unforgettable" haul at the club, reported by AS and via Football Espana. "He should be one of the darlings of Madrid because of what he has won," said the iconic striker.

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Casillas' treatment is certainly a reminder of how fickle football fans can be. He is an era-defining player despite his recent troubles. Even so, the turning point of his career certainly arrived alongside Mourinho's presence in the Spanish capital. At 33 years old, Casillas doesn't have long to ensure his final image in a Madrid shirt is one of happiness.

The European champions have conceded nine in seven matches this domestic campaign, per WhoScored.com. Only Celta Vigo have a leakier back line in the top 11, meaning Madrid must tighten up before another title challenge slips away.

Casillas' output will likely be pivotal and can set the tone for the club's entire prospects this season. Madrid's chances of success will improve significantly if he regains stunning form and admiration from the crowd, although both will need to work together for this to happen.