Casillas delight at sharing Prince of Asturias honour with Xavi

Iker Casillas - Real Madrid

Iker Casillas – Real Madrid

Iker Casillas has spoken of his surprise and delight after being named the joint winner of 2012’s Prince of Asturias Award for Sport, alongside Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez.

It is the first time the honour has been given to individual football players, although Brazil and Spain’s national teams were awarded the prize in 2002 and 2010 respectively.

“There are some awards that seem unachievable and that you never think you could get to win,” the Madrid captain told the club’s official website.

“But the work that you do throughout your sporting career could mean that you get to be nominated and I think to get this award is a great thing that gives me a lot of personal satisfaction,” he added.

The 31-year-old also gave his take on the decision to award Barcelona and Madrid’s respective captains the award.

“It’s been a few years in which the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry has grown a lot, which I think is good for football, the sport and the fans, always in moderation of course.

“It is an award for which we are the two prominent faces from each team, and from the national team because of being the captains.

“But it is a prize that there are many people behind – team-mates at our clubs and the national team, fans… it’s a very nice award to win and it is great to be receiving it,” he added.

Cartoon of the Day: Messi avoids Ronaldo shaped elephant in the room

After Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his unhappiness at a “professional issue” at Real Madrid, La Liga rival Lionel Messi was quizzed on the situation at a press conference.

Some quarters have suggested that the former Manchester United man is upset because he did not win the Uefa award for the best player in Europe, with Messi’s team-mate Andres Iniesta instead collecting the trophy, while others think he is jealous of the Argentine.

However, the Barcelona star refused to comment on the Portuguese’s comments, instead stating: “There’s no reason to ask me about what he says and vice-versa. It’s nothing to do with me.”

Messi avoids Ronaldo shaped elephant in the room

Xavi & Casillas win Prince of Asturias Sports Award

Spain internationals Xavi and Iker Casillas have jointly won the 2012 edition of the Prince of Asturias Sports Award.

The Barcelona midfielder and Real Madrid goalkeeper, who were put forward by Fifa president Sepp Blatter, got 11 out of the 18 votes, and will receive the award at a ceremony at Oviedo’s Campoamor theatre on October 26.

“They asked me in my capacity as judge for the awards, to offer an idea, and the first names that came to me were Casillas and Xavi. Not only for what they’ve won on the pitch, but what they’ve demonstrated off it,” Blatter stated to AS.

“Because they represent the unity of Spain over and above the differences there are between Madrid and Barca. They’re friends first and opponents later, and they put this friendship above the rivalry.

“It’s something uncommon in football and as president, I’m proud. That’s why I proposed them for the Prince of Asturias award.”

The award was won by athlete Haile Gebreselassie last year, while Spain’s national team came out victorious in 2010.

New Manchester City signing Javi Garcia proud to join 'biggest club in England'

Manchester City’s deadline day recruit Javi Garcia believes he has joined the top team in the Premier League, suggesting they also have the quality to get out of their tough Champions League group.

Goal.com exclusively revealed that City had agreed an €22 million fee for the 25-year-oldafter Roberto Mancini missed out on other central midfield targets Daniele De Rossi, who stayed at Roma, and Javi Martinez, who joined Bayern Munich.

The former Real Madrid man is set to face his former club with City, when they travel to the Bernabeu in two weeks’ time for their first Champions League fixture this season.

The Spaniard admitted that with Dutch and German champions Ajax and Borussia Dortmund making up the group, his new team-mates face a big task in progressing, but insisted that as one best teams in Europe they can compete with anyone.

He told reporters: “Without a doubt, I’m at the biggest club in England and one of the biggest in Europe.

“So I’m very proud but also aware that I’m joining a great side full of top players.

“The Champions League group is a tough one but it’ll be a lot of fun.

“The Real Madrid game is a great way to start out but we have the team and players to compete against any opposition.”

Mancini’s men will play a Premier League clash with Stoke City on September 15 in their next match after the international break, before facing the Spanish champions in their opening group game of this year’s competition for Europe’s elite three days later.

Santos chief: Manchester United did not bid for Neymar

Brazilian club Santos have dismissed rumours that Manchester United made a lucrative offer for wonderkid Neymar on transfer deadline day.

Reports had suggested that the Red Devils were ready to splash €48.1 million for Neymar, who has scored 111 goals in 185 appearances for his club.

Goal.com

understands that United were priced out of a move for the Brazil international, who has a €63.3m buy-out clause at Santos.

The Old Trafford outfit had previously pursued Neymar’s fellow countryman Lucas Moura earlier this summer but were unable raise funds for a €38m move for the Sao Paulo attacker.

However after the playmaker joined big-spenders PSG, who also signed the likes of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from AC Milan, the Premier League outfit reportedly turned their attention to Neymar and tabled a bid.

But Santos’ director of football Felipe Faro has denied the speculation, insisting he does not know where they rumours came from and revealing that no transfer offer was received.

He told Globo Esporte: “I have no idea where that came from, but it’s not true.”

The South American has consistently been linked with a move to La Liga duo Real Madrid and Barcelona ever since he exploded onto the scene in Brazil, but the player has always indicated that he is happy in his native homeland for now, with the club also delighted to keep hold on him.

His father, Neymar Santos, also laughed off the reports that he was the subject of an offer, joking: “Neymar was sold two years ago but we are still here.”