Ruben de la Red: 'Iker Casillas deserves FIFA Ballon d'Or'

Former Real Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red has backed Iker Casillas to win the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Casillas won La Liga with Madrid last season and captained Spain to Euro 2012 success in Poland and Ukraine in the summer.

"The truth is, goalkeepers maintain a different outlook to the rest of the team," De la Red told AS.

"To me, saving a goal is just as important as scoring one. Through that, Casillas has done enough to deserve the Ballon d'Or."

De la Red retired from football in 2010 because of a chronic heart condition.