Jordi Codina, Real Madrids substitute goalkeeper, believes that Iker Casillas is possibly the best goalkeeper in the world right now.

The Real Madrid youngster told Marca how the current Spanish No 1 is a player for all the members of the youth team setup to look up to but acknowledges that Casillas brilliance is a reason why he might have to leave the club soon.

"Casillas is an icon for any goalkeeper in the youth teams and for any Spanish goalkeeper, he mused to the assembled press. The fact that he has equalled the record of [Francisco] Buyo at his age is historic - and he will surpass it too. The youngsters have to wait behind possibly the best goalkeeper in the world.

"I have a year of my contract left and I will see what the club wants then. There were very good options [in the winter] and we were looking at them, but they [Real Madrid] wanted me to stay and here I am. In the summer we will see."

Codina was questioned repeatedly about the future of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at the club following reports yesterday that claimed the Dutch forward would be leaving.

The goalkeeper said that he doesn't believe the stories are true, stating that Huntelaar seems happy at the club.

"It [is] something that has happened in the press, he declared. We do not know anything or think he wants to go. I believe he is comfortable and happy here. He has not had many minutes but with work they will come.

"I have not seen his statements and in the dressing room he has not said anything. He might think it but he has not said it to us. I do not think that those statements are from him. When one is angry, it is best not to react like that and, by the little I know of him, he is not the type to say those things."

Meanwhile, Codina is still hopeful that Barcelona can slip up and allow los Blancos a shot at the title.

"We are in good form, and Barcelona are in excellent form, he admitted. We are going to win our games and if they do [the same] we will congratulate them. We are pressing a lot and we expect them to have a slip, which will allow us to get closer.

"Some day they will have to lose. We will see if we can cut the gap then."