Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas in shock return to football after heart attack
Posted Wednesday, August 21, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk
It previously looked as if the World Cup-winning Spanish goalkeeper's career was over
Iker Casillas is set to undergo several medical tests in December to determine whether he can play for Portuguese giants Porto again this season.
The 38-year-old had a heart attack in May which seemed to have ended his career after 22 years.
Casillas joined Porto in 2015 from Real Madrid, who he had played for since he was a nine-year-old youth player.
Portuguese paper A Bola said Casillas would undergo tests before the end of this year which could see him given the all-clear to feature between the sticks for Porto again.
Casillas had previously dismissed speculation that he was retiring for good following his heart troubles in May when he fell ill during training.
Spain and Porto keeper Iker Casillas may be returning to football just months after suffering a heart attack
(Image: INSTAGRAM/IKERCASILLAS/GETTY)
Casillas, 38, with partner Sara Carbonero, left
He later had surgery where doctors determined he had suffered an "acute" heart attack.
Currently, Casillas has a position in Porto's training team, where he acts as a go-between for the squad, coaching staff and the boardroom.
Portuguese media reported Casillas has been following a strict workout regime alongside his other role.
Despite being advised by many to retire, in June, Casillas took to Twitter to dismiss talk of him walking away from the game.
He tweeted: "The day will come when I have to retire.
"Please allow me to announce that decision when the moment arrives."
Earlier this month, Casillas was a late inclusion on Porto's list of players for the season.
Porto's coach Sergio Conceiçao also spoke about Casillas' work ethic and ambition and expressed his hopes that he would still return.
Casillas with some of his many trophies won during his time at Real Madrid
As Spain's captain, Casillas won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, as well as successive Euros in 2008 and 2012
"Iker is a champion and the champions never give up," he said.
"Being registered at the last minute is a sign of his great will — he still has the footballer's DNA," he added.
In an incredibly successful career, Casillas won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros for Spain.
At Real, he won the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Ray, while in Portugal he won the Primera Liga.
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