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Iker Casillas was forced out of Real Madrid, say his parents

Iker Casillas' parents have blamed president Florentino Perez for the goalkeeper's exit from Real Madrid, while insisting he is too good for "third-tier" FC Porto.

Casillas, 34, ended his long association with Los Blancos on Saturday when he completed a move to the Portuguese club. He bid an emotional farewell during a press conference on Sunday -- which was not attended by any Real Madrid officials.

But Jose Luis and Mari Carmen believe that their son had been treated poorly since Perez returned to the helm in 2009, and has been forced out.

They believe Perez wanted to replace him with Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, while the two parties had a financial dispute following Perez's election to president.

"Iker has put up with a great deal, he has suffered psychological pressure and they treated him differently to other players," Mari Carmen told El Mundo.

"I have watched him suffer for many years. It is Florentino who is pushing him out because he wanted to end his career at Real Madrid.

"Porto is a third-tier team for someone of Iker's stature.

"A world champion can't end up at Porto. He could have gone wherever he wanted and I wouldn't have cared if it had been Barcelona because they are gentlemen."

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is being strongly linked as Casillas' replacement at the Bernabeu.