Football: Casillas denies Mourinho injury claim

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas disputed on Monday Jose Mourinho's claim that he was injured for the Portuguese's final match in charge against Osasuna on Saturday.

Casillas was not included in Mourinho's squad for the game in which fourth-choice keeper Jesus Fernandez started in goal.

Mourinho claimed the 31-year-old had been suffering from a back injury, but he insisted he was fit to play and will be available for selection in Spain's upcoming friendly matches against Haiti and the Republic of Ireland after being included in Vicente del Bosque's squad for the Confederations Cup later this month.

"My back is fine," he told Spanish television channel Telecinco.

"Was I fit to play? I am always ready to play football and even more so after such a long period without doing so."

Mourinho's return to Chelsea was confirmed on Monday as he signed a four-year deal with the London club and Casillas insisted he didn't have anything personal against the Portuguese, despite not having played a competitive match for over four months.

"I don't feel resentment towards Mourinho nor do I feel badly treated by him. He took decisions that he thought were best for the club and I don't have anything personal against him.

"Unfortunately in the end we didn't achieve our objectives in the cup and the Champions League, but I wish him the best at Chelsea because he always stood up for Real Madrid."

And Casillas expressed his thanks to Del Bosque for continuing to have faith in him despite not having played competitively for such a long time.

"I thank Del Bosque a lot for the confidence he has shown in me and I am going to repay this confidence by working hard."

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