Iker Casillas' New Adidas Predator Pro Gloves: The Mystery of Cut, Strap, and Thumb Pad

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has long been known for his loyalty to a negative-cut glove design. After debuting with a flat cut and later switching to a negative cut during Euro 2004, he has rarely deviated. However, his recent choice of the adidas Predator Pro in white/black/yellow has sparked debate among goalkeeping fans and experts. Is it a flat or negative cut? What is the white wrist strap? Does the thumb pad differ from the standard model? This article explores the history of Casillas’ gloves and examines the evidence behind his latest glove modifications.

History of Casillas’ Glove Choices

Casillas made his professional debut using a flat-cut glove. He wore various adidas and Reebok models with a flat cut during the early years of his career. At that time, custom glove cuts or modifications for professional goalkeepers were uncommon.

The last flat-cut model he used before the switch can be seen below:

The Switch to Negative Cut at Euro 2004

Euro 2004 marked the first major tournament where Casillas started as Spain’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. Reebok stopped producing standard gloves for him and instead gave him the technical means to modify his gloves. The negative cut became the defining feature of his gloves from that point on.

Euro 2008 and the Four-Finger Glove

Casillas continued to use the negative cut and made adjustments as needed. He did not demand many special features—only good grip and a negative cut. After a finger injury, he began bandaging the injured finger to the healthy one for reinforcement. This led to the famous “four-finger glove” design, which he wore during Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph.

Partnership with Adidas and the Response Pro

When Casillas signed with adidas in 2011, the brand found it easy to meet his requirements. The adidas Response Pro already offered the negative cut and strong grip he preferred. The glove also featured a new wristband that eliminated his need for extra bandages or his habit of constantly adjusting his wrists:

The 2012 Predator Pro continued this trend. Casillas did not request any modifications to it. He even became one of the first top-tier goalkeepers to wear coloured palms, while still using a negative cut and a completely standard glove.

The 2013 Predator Pro Mystery

With the launch of the new Predator Pro glove, which Casillas began wearing in early 2013, several questions arose:

What is the white elastic band covering the fastening?
Is the glove a negative cut, or has he returned to a flat cut?
Does the thumb loop appear wider than on the standard Predator Pro?

The available images justify these doubts:

Likely Explanations

Despite the questions, evidence suggests Casillas is still using a standard glove. Here is the reasoning:

Wrist strap elastic band – The adidas wristband and fastening remain in place, but Casillas wears an elastic band over them (black for training, white for matches). The functional purpose is unclear, as the standard adidas fastening already secures the wrist tightly. It is unlikely that adidas would voluntarily modify a glove that finally projects the image of being accepted by a top player like Casillas.
Negative cut confirmed – This is the most certain conclusion. The adidas negative cut has a distinctive design: a very wide latex area in the finger zone, with minimal latex coverage on the sides of the fingers. This can create a slightly loose appearance, as the fingers lie flat rather than being rounded like a traditional negative cut.
Thumb pad modification – The latex thumb pad remains the only unresolved question. In some images, Casillas’ thumb pad appears larger than that of the standard glove. This is the aspect most likely to have been modified.

What do you think? Is Casillas still using the standard glove, or has he started modifying the adidas Predator Pro?

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