Diego Lopez Says He Is The Best Goalkeeper In Real Madrid

Diego Lopez, who is facing forceful quit from Real Madrid, told the club directors: “I’m the best goalkeeper here and you know it.”

Photo: Diego Lopez

After the club star Iker Casillas suffered an injury in January 2013, Los Blancos ex-coach Jose Mourinho signed the Galician who remained first choice for the remainder of the 2012-13 season before sharing the responsibilities with the club captain last term, goal.com recalls.

While with Lopez Madrid came 3rd in the Primera Division, with Casillas the club won the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

However Iker showed disappointing performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which could mean fresh hope for Lopez in the comping campaign.

On Tuesday Costa Rica shot-stopper Keylor Navas completed his move to the club, and former Villarreal and Sevilla goalkeeper is the one who is expected to be dropped.

Although Lopez’s agent says the 32-year-old is staying with Madrid, real situation indicates his nominal presence in the team: Lopez was surprisingly substituted at half-time for youngster Jesus Fernandez (who has already left for Levante Levante) in the Champions Cup match against Inter, later head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Casillas would start the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla on August 12.

Probably punished for absence of trophy in all of the competitions he has played (Liga, Copa and Champions League in 2012-13 and the Primera Division again in 2013-14), Lopez is furious about the attitude by the club’s management as he told the directors:

“I’m the best goalkeeper at the club and you know it – but do what you like…”

Meanwhile the latest reports alleged that the Galician neared a move to AC Milan and that Real Madrid was ready to pay the remaining €12 million under his contract which lasts until 2017. It he stays, he is likely to watch the majority of the games from the stands, with Navas and Casillas playing the key roles.