Football: Ramos Surprised By Casillas's Spain Snub
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 29, 2016 | 11:19 PM
MADRID, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th August, 2016) : Stand-in Spain captain Sergio Ramos has expressed his surprise as Iker Casillas's exclusion from Julien Lopetegui's first squad as Spain boss. Ramos is expected to lead the 2010 world champions in their first 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein on September 5 after the 35-year-old Casillas was dropped in favour of David de Gea, Pepe Reina and West Ham's Adrian. "It surprises everyone when such an emblematic and historic player for world and Spanish football (is left out)," said Ramos as the Spanish squad met in Madrid on Monday ahead of Thursday's friendly away to Belgium. "It is always an important absence, more so because he is our first captain." Casillas earned status as a national hero as Spain won three back-to-back major tournaments at Euro 2008 and 2012 either side of their World Cup triumph in South Africa.
However, as his form faded he left Real Madrid after nearly two decades with the Spanish giants to join Porto in July 2015, then managed by Lopetegui. Casillas was benched by Vicente del Bosque for Spain's four matches at Euro 2016 with De Gea in goal as the holders bowed out with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Italy in the last 16. "Obviously it is strange that there is a squad and you don't see Iker Casillas, but everything is respected," added Ramos. "A new era is starting with a radical change and in that sense there is great desire to return to doing things well."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Wembanyama in France: NBA Spurs to play Pacers in Paris in January
Russian missile kills two in Ukraine's Odesa: governor
Dutch Embassy celebrates King Willem-Alexander's birthday
Need of concrete steps stressed for safe, nutritious milk availability
Scotland's leader Yousaf quits after a year
Services of GDA Pakistan China Friendship Hospital launched
Mining giants Vale, BHP propose $25 bn settlement over Brazil dam collapse
Georgia ruling party stages mass rally to counter protests
Bayern ready for 'extraordinary' Bellingham, says Tuchel
PTI leaders get interim bail
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 2nd update
French actor Depardieu released after sexual assault questioning
More Stories From World
-
Tesla wins key China security clearance during Musk visit
3 hours ago -
Football: South African Premiership table
3 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 3rd update
3 hours ago -
Football: South African Premiership result
3 hours ago -
Nadal keeps his clay dream alive as he battles past Cachin
4 hours ago -
Campaigning EU chief defends record during debate
4 hours ago
-
US, Mexican presidents order 'concrete' border steps: statement
4 hours ago -
Global pandemic agreement talks in race against time
4 hours ago -
Gaza protesters defy Columbia deadline to leave campus
5 hours ago -
Russian missile kills two in Ukraine's Odesa: governor
6 hours ago -
Scotland's leader Yousaf quits after a year
6 hours ago -
Mining giants Vale, BHP propose $25 bn settlement over Brazil dam collapse
6 hours ago