Iker: Higuaín is one of my protected ones…

Iker spoke with Marca on the occasion of revealing the special gloves he will wear for his 100^th game with la selección against Argentina on Nov. 14.  I always love the answers he gives, it just shows what kind of person he is.

Q: In addition to balls, what else would you like to stop with those gloves?

A:  I would like to stop wars, poverty, everything that makes people suffer, but these hands are not the hands of a god, but of a goalkeeper.

Q: After 100 games, how is it that Casillas still has such a down-to-earth image?

A:  I think it’s because I’m the type of person that has no problems in meeting people, and I’ve had the luck of playing in Real Madrid, being from Madrid, staying in my city.  I have my life here, and that helps.

Q: Speaking of Higuaín, he has at last carved out a spot for himself on the Argentine national team.

A:  I’m very happy for Higuaín, he deserves to be there.  While it’s true that he still has many years in front of him, he’s going to be a very important player in Madrid.

Q:  Do you think he’s prepared to become a global star?

A:  He’s not there yet, because if I say yes,  it motivates a lot more.  He’s one of my protected ones.  When he came to Madrid, people compared him negatively to Ronaldo, but he was only 18 years old.  He has demonstrated that he’s strong and fast, and as a person, he’s a great guy.  He can become a great player.

Q:  You’ve been the captain of Madrid for several games, how has it been?

A:  I’ve been taking on that role, since three years ago when I became captain of the national team.  When you have a responsibility, you should be aware of everything.  You have to keep the young ones reined in, give them examples of your professionalism.  You have to talk a lot with everyone, with Higuaín, Drenthe, Marcelo, Pepe, Garay… you have to let them know where they are, what team this is and why things are important.

Q:  If you weren’t Spanish, would you be Argentine for the passion they feel for football?

A:  If I weren’t Spanish… I would be a Portuguese who has been nationalized Spanish.