Iker Casillas has insisted that winning the 2010 World Cup "motivates" Spain rather than acting as a hindrance.

The 32-year-old played a key part in La Roja's triumph four years ago in South Africa, which ended with a slender victory against the Netherlands in the final.

Ahead of his side's opening game against the same opposition tonight, Casillas is quoted by The Guardian as saying: "The star [on the shirt] motivates us; it is not a burden.

"For the last four years Spain has been the best team in the world and I understand that the teams we play against are especially keen to beat us.

"But our objective is always to win for the country and it is in our hands. If we have the ambition and desire we can show we're still strong."

Casillas has appeared 154 times for his country, making him the most-capped player at the World Cup finals.