In an interview with Spanish TV station La Sexta, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas indicated that he would like to end his career in the United States. The 31-year-old admitted that while he would like to retire in Madrid, the pressure might eventually cause him to seek a move elsewhere. 

“Yes, I would like to play out my soccer in the future in a more relaxed environment and if I have to play somewhere else then it would be for a team that would not come into direct competition with Real Madrid,” the Spain international said. “For example, in the USA, which I love. I would like to retire with Madrid, but if the critics are fierce when I am 31, imagine what they will be like when I’m 37.”

When asked which competition he would prefer to win this season, La Liga or the UEFA Champions League, Casillas said he would accept Real’s domestic situation worsening if it meant his team could be crowned European champion for a record 10^th time. “The League or the Decima? The Decima, no doubt about it,” he said. “If you told me that Barcelona would finish 25 points ahead, which is not the image that we want to project, but that we would then win the 10th European Cup, I would take that.”

Real Madrid is currently 11 points behind La Liga leader FC Barcelona; both teams have qualified for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, which begins in February.