Hot Euro player of the day: Iker Casillas (Spain)

Photo: Iker Casillas’s own Facebook page. This is why we love him.

Other people who have been following the Euro Cup seem to think that Spain’s team is all about Andrés Iniesta. Iniesta is an incredible player, and totally deserved to be named Best Player of the Tournament. However, I felt that those less familiar with Spain weren’t giving enough credit to the rest of the team. Little Jordi Alba scored his first ever goal for Spain in yesterday’s final, but more importantly, has come into his own as a great defender. Fernando Torres has gone from a dismal season at Chelsea to winning the Golden Boot (which stunned even me) thanks to his goal in the final. In fact, ten Spanish players were included in UEFA’s 23-man Team of the Tournament.

So when the crowd at the Spanish Club were I was watching the final chanted, “Iker! Iker! Iker!” every time Casillas made a save, I felt right in my element. It was good to be around people who realize just how special our captain is. And since his three international tournaments as captain have also been the three consecutive ones that Spain has won (the first team in history to do so), it would be very hard to imagine victory without him. And he totally deserves a whole gallery.

: Since Iker didn’t have any children to show off in last night’s baby parade, he borrowed Princesses Leonor and Sofia of Spain. Photo: Getty via Daylife.