Diego Forlán talks about Iker Casillas leaving Real Madrid

The Uruguayan Diego Forlán spoke, in his weekly column in The National, about Iker Casillas' departure from Real Madrid and his signing with Oporto. According to the former Atlético de Madrid player, "it's a step back for Iker to leave Real Madrid to go to Oporto".

"I have great respect for Oporto, a great club that is constantly competing for titles. They identify players, develop them and then sell them for profit. They are not Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world. It's a step back for Casillas, just as Robin van Persie leaving Manchester United for Fenerbahce is also a step back", Forlán stated.

"Casillas could have left the white club a year ago, after being a World champion. Just like Xavi Hernández left with honors after winning the treble. But in football, there are no feelings, it's a cruel profession. Real Madrid could have treated Casillas better and could have defended him from the attacks of the press and the fans. He has always had impeccable behavior, even though he has been punished for every mistake."

"I played against him many times and I can assure you that when I was in Spain he was the best in the world. I remember a derby at the Calderón in which Agüero and I talked about how impossible it was to score against him. We shot at goal many times and he saved them all."

Departure of club legends: "It becomes very difficult when players like them have to leave. Legends don't want special treatment, but they deserve to be treated correctly for everything they have done for their clubs in recent years. At least, they deserve honesty. The problem is that the truth is not always told by all parties."