Perez wanted Casillas to stay

The Madrid supremo has hit back at those criticising him for his attitude toward the shot-stopper and has stressed he did not want him to leave

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has insisted that he did not push Iker Casillas out and wanted him to retire at the Santiago Bernabeu instead.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper announced his decision to leave for Porto at the weekend, signing a two-year deal with the Primeira Liga side.

Casillas' exit led to uproar among some Madrid fans, who feel the Spain international was driven away from his boyhood club by Perez, while the goalkeeper's parents also hit out at the club's president.

Nevertheless, Perez has stressed that he never wanted Casillas to leave and that it was the glovesman's own decision to depart.

"There has been a lot of pressure on him in the past two years. I have to accept his decision, but I wish he would have ended his career here," Perez said at a press conference.

"No one from Madrid asked Iker to leave the club. There was an offer from Porto and we took it into consideration.

"Iker arrived at this club at the age of nine and leaves having won everything. I am sure that for many years to come the Madrid fans will remember Iker as one of the most legendary players ever."