Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández Prince of Asturias Award for Sports 2012

At its meeting in Oviedo, the Jury for the 2012 Prince of Asturias Award for Sports, made up of Mr José María Abad Casamayor, Mr José Antonio Abellán Hernández, Mr Óscar Campillo Madrigal, Mr Miguel Carballeda Piñeiro, Ms Marisol Casado Estupiñán, Mr Josep María Casanovas i Punti, Mr Enrique Castro "Quini", Mr Ignacio Gómez-Acebo del Solar, Mr Juan Carlos González "Xuancar", Ms María del Carmen Izquierdo Vergara, Ms Laura Martínez Martin, Mr Javier Muñoz Gallego, Mr Santiago Nolla Zayas, Mr Ángel Rodríguez Berriguete, Ms María Rodríguez Escario, Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs, Mr Josep Lluis Vilaseca i Guasch, chaired by Ms Arancha Sanchez-Vicario Santacana and with Mr Ignacio Martínez García acting as secretary, has decided by majority vote to confer the 2012 Prince of Asturias Award for Sports on the soccer players Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández.

The Jury considers that these players of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona symbolize the values of friendship and companionship that go beyond the all-out rivalry of their respective teams. Their sportsmanship is a model for young people.

Both players, who have achieved the most important titles with their clubs and the Spanish Football Squad, are an example of fair play that is admired by all. They have jointly shown a conciliatory attitude that has smoothed out traditional differences between players and supporters.

Iker and Xavi have kept up a close friendship since 1999, when they won the Under-20s World Cup in Nigeria with the Spanish team, and this relationship has been strengthened over time above and beyond clashes and passions.

Oviedo, 5th September 2012