Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta lead social media tributes to retired Iker Casillas

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos led tributes to former Los Blancos and Spain team-mate Iker Casillas following the announcement of his retirement on Tuesday.

Casillas, who Ramos replaced as skipper at the Santiago Bernabeu, suffered a heart attack during training with Porto on May 1 last year and has not played since.

Although he has only now officially called it a day, Porto president Pinto da Costa indicated in February that Casillas had retired.

That emerged when Da Costa was discussing the goalkeeping great's bid to become president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation – a process from which Casillas later withdrew.

In a glittering career, Casillas won three Champions Leagues and five LaLiga titles with Madrid, while he was a two-time European Championship winner with Spain, who he also captained to World Cup glory in 2010.

Ramos, part of that same World Cup team, posted a picture of the pair together on Twitter, while in a previous post he wrote: "Soccer thanks you, friend. Forever a legend".

.@IkerCasillas pic.twitter.com/5hKGgX6EB4

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) August 4, 2020

Andres Iniesta was a Clasico rival at Barcelona but showed his respect for ex-Spain team-mate Casillas.

"All the best for you and your family in this new stage that will be presented in your life," he wrote.

Todo lo mejor para ti y tu familia en esta nueva etapa que se presentará en tu vida @IkerCasillas!! https://t.co/M4F1A4dBrN pic.twitter.com/bkLhtCXBUL

— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) August 4, 2020

Current Real Madrid number one Thibaut Courtois hailed Casillas as an "idol, companion, rival, reference", while Brahim Diaz labelled him a "legend" and Casemiro added: "Thank you for everything."

Ídolo, compañero, rival, referente... eres ejemplar en muchas facetas, pero la principal en ser una gran persona!! Enhorabuena por el camino @IkerCasillas y gracias por todo!! pic.twitter.com/pSh4hmT9lX

— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) August 4, 2020

#Grac1as por tanto, LEYENDA https://t.co/5Xjjy6TUCX

— Brahim (@Brahim) August 4, 2020

Obrigado por tudo @IkerCasillas! pic.twitter.com/Xw8o9119jF

— Casemiro (@Casemiro) August 4, 2020

Madrid posted several tweets honouring "legend" Casillas, and Porto said their ex-keeper would be "forever one of us".

@IKERCASILLAS : @REALMADRID LEGEND #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/G1hZRB7YDZ

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) August 4, 2020

Obrigado @IkerCasillas : para sempre um de nós #FCPorto #IkerCasillas pic.twitter.com/AtkuU1FckQ

— FC Porto - Dobradinha 19/20 (@FCPorto) August 4, 2020

LaLiga's official Twitter account in English, offered this summary.

For all the saves. For all the moments. For all the celebrations. For all the trophies. For all the Madridistas. #Grac1as, @IkerCasillas! #LaLigaIcons pic.twitter.com/SO7cMxSoQl

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) August 4, 2020

Prominent Spanish newspapers Marca and AS joined the tributes.

Thanks for the memories, @IkerCasillas The @SeFutbol and @realmadriden legend has confirmed his retirement https://t.co/bQIHvn3UoD pic.twitter.com/44fzbX6tLL

— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) August 4, 2020

Thank you for all the memories Iker Casillas https://t.co/2IBJYze6wQ

— AS English (@English_AS) August 4, 2020