Esteban Granero: Iker Casillas "best goalkeeper in the world"

Former Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero believes that Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world.

However, the 25-year-old has refused to give his opinion on the falling-out between his Spanish compatriot and Los Blancos coach Jose Mourinho.

"It is hard to judge from the outside," he told AS. "Obviously there is conflict. I know Iker very well and he is the best goalkeeper in the world. He is the captain of the team and has lifted the World Cup and European Championship twice.

"He is a symbol of Real Madrid. He has spent 20 years at the club and for me has always been an example. But I'm not the coach and I am not the one to evaluate the situation of each individual. You can also say that Diego Lopez has not been afforded anything that he hasn't deserved. I know him from the B team and I've seen him train like crazy. He is very professional.

"I cannot give the view from the outside, but Casillas is Casillas and he is indisputable. I do not mean as a permanent fixture, but as a figure, it cannot be argued that he is not a symbol, an emblem, and as a goalkeeper. But I am not there and the coach is smart enough and professional enough to choose on form."

Granero left Madrid to join Queens Park Rangers last summer.