Lionel Messi sends out heartfelt message to former Real Madrid skipper Iker Casillas

Real Mrid legend Iker Casillas officially bid ieu to football this week after a decorated career encompassing more than two deces. Spaniard was respected across spectra, with his rivals in awe of his professionalism on field. This aspect was fairly visible when Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi sent out a heartfelt mess for goalkeeping legend. 

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Casillas retires: Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi's tribute

Writing a special mess for Casillas in Spanish media outlet AS, Messi ackwledged his former Real Mrid rival who he came up against several times in his professional career. Messi said that although Casillas retires w, he h registered his name in history of football a long time ago. Messi described Casillas t only a benchmark in LaLiga but a player who mand to win everything internationally. 

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Casillas was a spectacular goalkeeper: Lionel Messi 

Messi described Casillas as a 'spectacular goalkeeper', asserting that it was really hard to go up against him. However, it was a nice rivalry that forced m to outdo mselves every time y faced each or, Barcelona skipper ted. Interestingly, Messi has enjoyed some of great moments in his career against Casillas, including his first hat-trick against Los Blancos in 2007. 

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Casillas' career at Real Mrid lasted 25 years 

Casillas decided to call it quits on Tuesday, 14 months after he suffered a stroke. He was last involved with Portuguese giants Porto. Reports suggest that Real Mrid will hour one of greatest players in its 118-year-old history with his appointment as visor to club president Florenti Perez. This, however, will t be first instance of former players returning to Bernabeu. Zinedine Zidane, Raul Gonzalez and Alvaro Arbeloa are all associated with Mrid giants.

Casillas' career at Real Mrid lasted 25 years before he departed for Portugal in 2015. Having racked up 725 first-team appearances with Spanish behemoths, shot-stopper clinched 19 titles, including five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues. As captain of Spanish national team, Casillas guided his team to three international trophies - Euro 2008 and 2012 as well as  2010 FIFA World Cup. 

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Im courtesy: AP