Iker Casillas

UNDP appointed the World Cup-winning Spanish football goalkeeper Iker Casillas as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on 24 January 2011. In this role, he will focus on issues affecting young people in developing countries, promoting poverty reduction, education and health.

Casillas is no stranger to the tremendous needs of the poor in this world, and has shown on many occasions that he can be part of the solutions. Twice now, he and tennis champion Rafael Nadal have organized ‘Friends of Iker v Friends of Rafa’ sports events to raise money for those suffering from malaria in Mali and last December he organized with Luis Figo a football charity match in support of homeless people. He has also worked in Peru to raise awareness of the needs of children living in poverty.

“While my job on the pitch is to prevent goals, my job at UNDP will be to help score them,” said Casillas. “Bringing attention to the poor conditions people are enduring around the world is essential to motivate action on the world’s pledges to improve their lives.”

“UNDP works with people and their governments around the world to end poverty with solutions that will last,” Casillas said. “Only with that kind of team approach can we win the battle against poverty, and I am proud to add my personal commitment to this work.”

Casillas plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and serves as captain for both the Spanish national team and Real Madrid. As captain of the national side, he led a young Spanish team to their first European Championship in 44 years, his first senior international honour. In 2010, he led Spain to their first ever FIFA World Cup and won the Golden Glove for the tournament's best goalkeeper.