Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas has been voted goalkeeper of the year by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.
Casillas finished first with 224 points, ahead of Italian Gianluigi Buffon, who totalled 128. Chelsea keeper Petr Cech (Chelsea) came third with 92 points; German Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) came fourth with 85 points; Englishman Joe Hart (Manchester City) finished fifth on 26 points and another Spaniard, Victor Valdés (Barcelona), came sixth with 15 points.
It is the fifth consecutive time that 31-year-old Casillas has won the award after he came second, third and fourth on two occasions between 2003 and 2007.
Casillas was central to helping Real Madrid win La Liga for the first time in four seasons ahead of rivals Barcelona last time round, while the 31-year-old was also a key part of Spain’s Euro 2012 winning squad. His form this year had prompted some to push him forward for a place in the final three man Ballon d’Or shortlist,
Ironically the award comes at a time when his starting spot at the Bernabeu has been placed in question by Jose Mourinho.
