Iker Casillas will be a speaker at the Dubai International Sports Conference. WireImage)
Iker Casillas will be a speaker at the Dubai International Sports Conference. WireImage)
Iker Casillas will be a speaker at the Dubai International Sports Conference. WireImage)
Iker Casillas will be a speaker at the Dubai International Sports Conference. WireImage)

Iker Casillas joins Cristiano Ronaldo at Dubai International Sports Conference


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Iker Casillas, one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of football, has confirmed he will speak at the Dubai International Sports Conference (DISC) on Sunday, organisers have announced.

The Spain and Real Madrid legend will join Cristiano Ronaldo and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski at the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, with the trio talking about their journeys to the top in their glittering careers.

One of the few players to play more than 1,000 professional matches, and with the most clean sheets in the Champions League and Spain national team, Casillas will share his experiences as well as his achievements with club and country.

Starting his career with Real Madrid’s youth sides in 1990, Casillas made his first team debut in 1999 and became the youngest goalkeeper to play in the final and win the Champions League at 19 years and four days.

Casillas continued at Real for 16 seasons, making 725 appearances and winning five La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey and four Super Cups. He also won three Champions Leagues with Real, two Super Cups, one Club World Cup and two Intercontinental Cups.

In 2015, Casillas left Real for Portuguese club Porto, where he won the Primeira Liga and Cup double in 2018.

On the international stage, Casillas was captain of the Spanish teams that won the 2010 World Cup, and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

Iker Casillas won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup as Spain goalkeeper. Reuters
Iker Casillas won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup as Spain goalkeeper. Reuters

The 2020 DISC will also welcome a number of top decision-makers from across the world of football.

The 2021 Globe Soccer Awards will also take place at the Armani Hotel following the conclusion of the conference.

The Dubai Sports Council is organising the Conference and Globe Soccer Awards in the presence of a number of people, from within and outside the country, as well as nominees and representative of nominees for the many Globe Soccer Awards categories.

The conference and Awards ceremony will be the first event to be organised with the physical participation and presence of international football stars and the game’s top decision-makers since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Organisers have stated that all the necessary Covid-19 precautionary measures and protocols will be implemented as mandated by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

The Bio

Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees  (oats with chicken) is one of them

Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.

Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results

During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks

Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy

Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm

Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm

Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm