Real Madrid Spaniard admits one of himself or Casillas had to leave

Diego Lopez's fierce competition with Iker Casillas for the starting spot in Real Madrid was as controversial as it gets, and led to his exit from the club.

Lopez now revisits his career and his time in Madrid in an interview with MARCA, talking about how he joined, and left Los Blancos.

"It's not easy being from a small town in Lugo," Lopez began, "me and my parents had to make plenty of sacrifices, so until I joined Madrid's academy I didn't even think about being a professional player, something that also taught me to be humble.

"It's the same, you only join Madrid when you're one of the best and it's tough to leave the world's best club, even more when you're leaving under such controversial circumstances.

"It had to do with issues on the field but off the field too, Keylor Navas arrived and AC Milan allowed me to improve, there was a very tense atmosphere and even though I could've stayed, it was easy to see that it was better for me to leave."

The Spaniard is currently out of favour in Serie A, however, and has intimated in the past that the move was a mistake.

"I talk about making the wrong choice because I am a Madrid fan and it's hard to leave the club when you're the starter," Lopez continues.

"That summer, Iker wanted to leave and Keylor arrived, so there were three keepers. As Iker didn't find the offer he wanted, I left."

Signed by Jose Mourinho in 2013, having already appeared for Los Blancos as a youngster, the goalkeeper also discussed his admiration for the Portuguese coach.

"Mourinho wanted me two years before I signed for Madrid, when I was with Sevilla, and that shows the confidence he had in me," he added.

"He's very close with his players, the press don't know his true self, he supports the player and makes jokes while demanding the very best from you."