QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar has offered sympathy to Iker Casillas over his problems at Real Madrid.

Casillas was sidelined for the final four months of the league season with Real Madrid, after injuring his hand and then losing his place in the first team to Diego Lopez.

"It was an honour for me to swap shirts with Casillas, because I respect him a lot and I've always admired him," Julio Cesar, who was relegated with QPR, told Marca.

"I was out on the pitch celebrating and someone told me that Iker wanted to speak to me. That made me very happy, and we spoke for 10 minutes.

"I had never met him before in person, as this was the first time we'd played against each other, and I can say that he is a great person, an excellent lad.

"He has had a very tough time this season, and I have also had a bad season.

"That's why I wanted to swap shirts with him and I thought it was a good idea to go up and collect the trophy wearing his shirt to show him my support, because the best players always return."