Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez was caught on camera revealing
why the goalkeeper left for Porto and his agent has slammed the Blancos'
methods
Real Madrid forced Iker Casillas to leave, according to his agent Santos Marquez, who branded the manner of his exit to Porto a "disaster".
The iconic goalkeeper ended a 25-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu last week when he confirmed a move to Porto.
A five-time Liga winner who helped Madrid to three Champions League
crowns, Casillas had faced heavy criticism since he was dropped by
then-Madrid coach Jose Mourinho in 2012.
Despite repeat claims from the club that the Spain international had
orchestrated the Santiago Bernabeu departure, Casillas' agent and lawyer
has claimed the opposite is true and that new coach Rafa Benitez dodged
attempts to discuss his future.
"Casillas never decided to jump ship and leave Madrid. He was pushed," Marquez said when speaking to Marca and Cope.
"Casillas did not ask to leave, he has been annoyed and everything
about his exit had been agreed behind his back. He has to go, so he
accepts that, but at no point did Casillas want to leave.
"One factor was the whistles he received from the Bernabeu, but
another is the support from the club. He has never felt defended. Nobody
- including Florentino - from the club said 'I will sit with Iker
Casillas and I will defend him to the death'. That never happened.
"Benitez has played hide-and-seek, he let me down. We were hoping to
talk to the coach. It has not been fair to Iker, it hasn't been the exit
he deserves - it's been a disaster."
Earlier, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had been caught on
camera admitting Casillas, 34, had endured all he could stomach at the
club.
"He wanted to leave because he'd had a gut full," the Blancos chief was overheard saying at the goalkeeper's hastily organised farewell event on Monday.
The ceremony arrived just 24 hours after the club faced criticism from sections of supporters for initially leaving Casillas alone in the press room to read a brief statement confirming his exit.

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