Iker Casillas learned he is the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of 2009 this morning. The player addressed the media after training.

Higuain is injured. It seems the team doesn’t stop having problems in this respect…
It seems like it. The fitter a player is, the worse his luck is with injuries… We are all very surprised because we didn’t know he had that injury, but this is what happens in such a long season during which a footballer plays many games. First it was Pepe, then Rafa, now Higuain… We are losing important men for crucial games.

How does it feel to be the Best Goalkeeper in the World?
I’m very happy. Last season wasn’t successful collectively speaking, but it was positive on a personal level. I will continue to work throughout 2010 to stay at the top. It isn’t easy to get there, but it is easier than staying. It is a great responsibility I am ready to assume. I am very happy.

The IFFHS has voted for Xavi Hernandez as the Best Player of 2009.
He deserves it. I’ve always admired him and he is also a friend of mine. The season he had last year is worthy of praise. I think it was about time he received a personal accolade. He is an incredible player, but an even greater guy. I am very happy for him.

The defence is playing incredibly well without Pepe.
We received much criticism a couple of months ago. Things didn’t work out at first because it was hard to get all the pieces to blend, but we’ve managed to learn from the mistakes we made by playing more games and growing confident. We still make mistakes that must be addressed. We work hard on doing more. We will get chances to score if we manage to avoid conceding any goals and it helps us take important points.

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