After the couple clashed in Real Madrid repeatedly during their time, Jose Mourinho claimed he and Iker Casillas had repaired their relationship.
The pair challenged at Real Madrid during their time, but the manager says they’ve developed an “honest friendship”.
On Tuesday Casillas announced his retirement after a legendary 22-year playing career that saw him win a host of club and country trophies.
During his career, the 39-year-old secured two European Championships and one World Cup with Spain, and five La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns with Real Madrid.
Casillas fell out with Mourinho near the end of his run with Real Madrid, who dropped long-time starter from his side in favor of Diego Lopez.
At the end of the 2012-13 season, Mourinho left Madrid to rejoin Chelsea after clashing with Casillas and Sergio Ramos amongst others.
As Casillas officially called time on his playing career, along with his former goalkeeper, Tottenham manager Mourinho has claimed to have patched things up and paid tribute to Casillas.
“His intelligence and maturity always made us respect each other and years later we were even able to cultivate an honest friendship,” Mourinho told AS before acknowledging the difficulties the pair had in the past.
“For Real Madrid, La Roja and world football, he’s a historic goalkeeper,” Mourinho continued. “I won La Liga with him, and due to my professional and never personal decision to play another player I had difficult moments with him.”
Mourinho added that Casillas is “a great goalkeeper and a very good man.”
