Friday 17 July 2015 16:43, UK
Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez have both been honoured by the Spanish government after the two left La Liga this summer.
Casillas has left Real Madrid for Porto after 25 years with the club, while midfielder Xavi’s 24-year career at Barcelona has ended after he agreed to join Qatari side Al Sadd.
With 162 and 133 appearances respectively, Casillas and Xavi are Spain’s most capped players, and the government has inducted the duo into Spain's Royal Order of Sports Merit.
Casillas and Xavi were club rivals but, as well as being colleagues in the national team, were good friends off the pitch
The two players, who helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup among a slew of trophies for clubs and country, were awarded with the annual sports prize from Spain's Prince of Asturias Foundation in 2012.
Casillas still plays for Spain, while Xavi retired from international competition last year.
