Madrid icon Casillas labels 'Los Blancos' as favourites for 'El Clasico'

Iker Casillas, speaking to the media in New York on Thursday on the eve of 'El Clasico' that will pit Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, a duel of which he highlighted the global impact it has.
“It is a match that has the strength and exclusivity to be able to stop at any time around the world. Wherever you go in any corner of the planet, everyone always talks about Madrid-Barcelona,” he said.
He also stressed that, for the rivalry between 'Merengues' and 'Azulgranas', it is positive that both teams arrive at this duel in a good moment.
“It is a rivalry that comes from a long time ago and I think it is very good and very positive that in this case Barcelona, which it is true that has gone through a very difficult situation economically, is giving players to compete and fight for La Liga with Madrid,” he said. “They are two brands, so to speak, that complement and need each other,” he added.
Casillas praised the enormous talent of young players like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius or Lamine Yamal, but also said that they have a difficult challenge to reach the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
“I have been lucky enough to be able to live with Cristiano and unlucky enough to live with Messi.... But we are talking about two players who are out of the ordinary (...). These two monsters have made us think that was easy,” he reflected.
“I think the football, the positioning and the legacy they leave for those who come after them is complicated. We're talking about incredible players like Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Lewandowski, Yamal .... It's going to be difficult to compare them with Cristiano and Messi, but even so this is evolving, the wheel continues and players will continue to emerge,” he added.
Finally, Casillas dared to give a prediction for the 'Clasico'. “Playing at home, I see Madrid as stronger and more of a favourite, especially because of the crowd's support. I would go for a 2-1 and that would keep La Liga competitive and exciting every game," he concluded.