Real Madrid and Spain captain Iker Casillas has conceded that he may need to consider leaving his boyhood club if he fails to secure more playing time this season.
Casillas was previously the undisputed No1 goalkeeper for club and country for more than a decade, but lost his place in the Madrid side midway through last season after suffering a hand injury.
Then Madrid boss Jose Mourinho bought Diego Lopez from Sevilla in January and the former Spain international retained his place in the first-team even when Casillas was back to full fitness.
Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Mourinho in the Bernabeu hotseat this summer, has kept with Lopez as his No1 for domestic fixtures, while calling on Casillas exclusively for European ties.
It has led to speculation that Casillas could leave the club he joined as a nine-year-old in search of regular football, particularly with a World Cup defence on the horizon for Spain.
And the 32-year-old has admitted that while his preference is to stay at Los Blancos, he may be forced to consider his options should his current situation remain.
– Xavi: Out of favour Casillas 'welcome' at Barcelona
"Players go through moments when if you are not playing a part you think about making some sort of decision," Casillas said at a promotional event in the Spanish capital, according to local media.
"Of course I want to stay here, winning more titles with Real Madrid," he added. "I have been here since I was a small boy but the day will come when maybe a decision will have to be made.
“I have decided I want to be part of this squad for a long time but if the situation doesn't change in three months and you ask me the same question perhaps I will answer that I am planning to leave."
Given Casillas’ immense competition for an international starting spot, and the dazzling early season form of Barcelona's Victor Valdes, Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque has plenty to think about.
Casillas started Tuesday’s qualifier against Georgia, but Del Bosque gave Valdes the nod for Tuesday's clash with Belarus, citing a minor injury to the Madrid stopper as the reason for the change.
However, Casillas is under no illusions that if he wants to be a prominent part of Spain’s World Cup defence, he needs to be playing regular football.
"Psychologically, you have to take the positive out of this," Casillas said. "Ancelotti's decision is the latest challenge, an abnormal situation and I want to win confidence.
"I will fight to get back into the starting 11. I want to play more. To play for your national team you have to be playing for your club."
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