Iker Casillas: Great or “Horrendous”?

By: chris | September 12th, 2008

This summer it was all about Iker Casillas. He outdueled Gianluigi Buffon, led Spain to their first trophy in eons and even garnered some attention as a potential player of the year candidate. Nearly everybody knows Iker is a fantastic keeper, so it wasn’t an enormous surprise, but it was still one for the ages. And I say nearly everybody because somebody, ex-Argentina goalkeeper Hugo ‘Loco’ Gatti, doesn’t seem to agree with the masses. In fact, he thinks Iker is “horrendous”.

From the horse’s mouth:

“At present he can be the best in the world and that is in spite of him being a horrendous goalkeeper. He does not know the ABC of the arc and never catches the ball.

“What happens is that he makes an important save in a game which means the team win and then has the positive repercussions.”

First of all, I think Jose Mourinho may have some competition for Best Purveyor of Backhanded Compliments. (Jose must’ve heard the news because he was at it again today.)

Now I’ve never heard of this guy, he was a keeper in Argentina long before my time, but one needs only to look at his nickname (Loco) to get a proper gauge of his credentials here. His wikipedia shines a bit more light on the situation.

Gatti, nicknamed El Loco (Spanish for “crazy”) was recognized for his charisma, his innovative playing style for his position and his eccentricity…Gatti has continued to be involved in football since his retirement as a player, writing columns and opinions that have been controversial at times.

Controversial? Naw…

As far as Casillas goes, don’t the greats usually break the rules anyway?

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frem

casillas is tops because he has good instinct and reflexes. He knows how to make himself big. That said sometimes he is out of position and needs to makes over the top saves(which he does) and makes it look harder then it should be. Cech is the opposite(at the moment anyway) he is more positional and likes to grab the ball but has trouble with long shots and doesnt have the athleticsm of casillas. Buffon is best of both.
Casillas will probably be better the cech but because he relies so much on athleticsm will probably not last as long.
EinMuenchnerImHimmel

God's Day Off! That was classic. Killed me.
God's day off

well now that iker has been rumbled as sub-standard we at aberdeen fc would like to extend our condolences to mr cassillas' for his reduced standing in world football and offer a place of safety far from the criticisms of 'loco' and other true greats. who knows perhaps in time he will rediscover a fraction of his talent and he can enjoy a run out in the reserves! come on iker, mi casa et tu casa.
Bruno

Iker: Good keeper, but Buffon is in a class of his own
Corey

He has some unorthodox methods and he definately has a weak spot in collecting high crosses, but its stupid to think that any players does not have a weak spot in their game.
Rob

It is true that he's unorthadox and he does parry absolutely everything, but he is a top keeper.
9 champion leagues

What's well bold and present is the argentinian's ego above common sense. Just the fact that Iker has constantly been spain's undisputed starter with pepe reina and palop on the bench is enough to think about the kid's talent. With Spain's ovewhelming midfielders and all of a sudden two top strikers on board, few give notice to the squad's goalkeeper superb quality abundance. Also its important to note that the defensive line is perhaps the squad's weakest link with an outstanding layout on the rest of the pitch, which means the goalkeeper is a little more present during the match.
Hawk

Loco isn't enough for this guy. He should be called retarded or somthing... As long as a keeper keeps the ball out of the net I guess you could call him good right? I don't care how he does it...