Iker Casillas has housekeeper and security guard arrested after Real Madrid legend discovered pair stole five €50k watches and replaced them with counterfeits

One of football’s most respected goalkeepers, Casillas had his trust shattered when the former Madrid and Spain captain discovered that five of his luxury watches, valued at nearly €50,000, had been stolen from his home.

According to Diario de Sevilla, Casillas initially had no reason to suspect foul play. The theft was meticulously planned, carried out over time, and designed to avoid detection. His assistant, who had worked for him for years, allegedly replaced the authentic watches with high-quality replicas to ensure the missing pieces went unnoticed.

The plan worked, at least temporarily. Casillas, who was away frequently for professional engagements, began noticing small inconsistencies in his collection. It was only after a closer inspection that he realised something was wrong. On October 16, he filed an official complaint with Spain’s National Police, triggering a rapid and thorough investigation.

Within days, the suspicions were confirmed that the alleged thieves were none other than the housekeeper herself and her husband, a security guard working in La Finca, one of Madrid’s most exclusive and secure residential areas, home to many elite athletes and celebrities.

The case moved quickly once Casillas reported the theft. Spanish authorities identified the two suspects as a Paraguayan domestic worker employed in Casillas’ home and her Spanish husband, who served as a security guard in the gated community. The combination of inside access and intimate knowledge of Casillas’ habits made their plan both daring and deceptive.

Police believe the thefts took place gradually, with the stolen items quietly swapped for counterfeit pieces to delay suspicion. What stood out to investigators was the calculated precision as the watches weren’t simply taken; they were replaced, indicating a deliberate effort to conceal the crime until the perpetrators could flee the country.

Their escape plan, however, fell apart. Acting on Casillas’ complaint, Spain’s National Police moved swiftly to detain the couple before they could leave Spain. The arrests took place on October 21, five days after the complaint was filed.

Two of the five watches were successfully recovered following the arrests, though three remain missing. Authorities continue to investigate the whereabouts of the remaining pieces and whether other individuals may have played a part in the scheme.

Even with the arrests made, the story is far from over. The investigation into the theft at Casillas’ Madrid home has now entered its most crucial phase that is the hunt for the missing watches. Of the five luxury timepieces stolen, only two have been recovered so far, while three, worth between €8,000 and €15,000 each, remain unaccounted for.

Police sources suggest that the couple may have sold or exchanged the watches through Madrid’s luxury resale networks before attempting to flee Spain. Investigators are now tracing possible links across pawn shops, private dealers, and even international resale platforms, with Europol reportedly assisting in tracking serial numbers and listings of the missing pieces. The counterfeit watches left behind are also under forensic review, as authorities suspect they were custom-made to delay detection, indicating a well-planned theft rather than an impulsive act.

For Casillas, this is no longer just about monetary loss, these were pieces tied to personal milestones and memories. “I’m doing very well, I’m calm, and everything is fine. The police are handling everything,” he said briefly to Spanish media. Behind that composure lies a quiet determination as police continue to follow the trail, hoping to recover the remaining watches and close the case for good.

After stepping away from professional football, Casillas transitioned seamlessly into a life still deeply connected to the sport. He took on ambassadorial roles for UEFA and Madrid, frequently appearing at events promoting youth development and fair play. Beyond football, he has immersed himself in philanthropic initiatives through the Iker Casillas Foundation, focusing on heart health awareness and social inclusion. Casillas has also ventured into sports commentary and management, occasionally offering insights on Spanish television.

Casillas’s focus on heart health stems from his own life-changing ordeal. In 2019, while training with Porto, he suffered a heart attack that forced an abrupt end to his playing career. The incident reshaped his outlook, leading him to prioritise wellbeing and awareness around cardiovascular health.