Diego Lopez says he will not be following Jose Mourinho out the Bernabeu door at the end of the season.
Lopez was an emergency signing when Real icon ‘Saint’ Iker Casillas was injured.
But he kept his place in Los Blancos’ starting line-up for the rest of the season even after Casillas recovered, in part due to his good form between the sticks, but also because of the feud between Mourinho and Casillas.
Now that Mourinho is leaving, it has been assumed by many that club and Spanish national captain Casillas will automatically win back his place in Real’s first XI.
And consequently, the rumour mill has linked Lopez to both AC Milan and Monaco.
After he shipped three goals at the weekend in Real’s 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad, but still bagged the man-of-the-match award, Lopez insisted he would stay to fight Casillas for the number one jersey at the Bernabeu.
"The coach gave me an opportunity today and I tried to take it, like everyone," Lopez said.
"I have a contract for many years. It is difficult to be unhappy at Madrid.
“I believe in competition for places and I believe the goalkeeping position will be open like any other place in the team.
“I am relaxed, trying to do things as well as possible."
Who should be Real’s first-choice ‘keeper next season: Lopez or Casillas?
