Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas insists they now boast a better squad than Treble champs Barcelona. The Spain No1 declared: "Honestly, comparing man for man, I think so. But Barcelona also has a great team that has sacrificed and that has created a lot of healthy envy in me.

"For example, look at all the awards they have given to my friend Xavi. Now, our aim is to create a playing style that is the best."

On Florentino Perez's summer recruiting, Casillas beamed: "I have almost no words. It is enough to see the excitement that he has generated at Real Madrid.

"I was hearing about every signing while on holiday, and spent the summer desperate for the start of the season to begin."