Real Madrid great Iker Casillas has formally announced his retirement.

Casillas leaves Porto after five years with the Portuguese to return to Real Madrid in a front office role.

He announced today on social media: "The important thing is the path you travel and the people who accompany you, not the destination to which it takes you, because that with work and effort, comes alone and I believe I can say, without hesitation, that it has been the way and the dream destination."

The former goalkeeper explained his goodbye in a letter in which he confesses that "today is one of the most important and at the same time difficult days of my sports life: the time has come to say goodbye."

In his message, Casillas thanked his family, the colleagues he has had at his side, the clubs and fans of Real Madrid, Porto and the Spanish team.

During 16 decorated seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casillas won five La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, four Supercopas de Espana, three Champions League, two UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups.

A career swansong followed at Porto, where he plied his trade for a further four seasons from 2014-15 – winning the Primeira Liga in 2017-18.

With Spain, Casillas claimed glory at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.