The talented duo will square off when Juventus host Real Madrid in their first-leg semi-finals clash on Tuesday night, with the Galacticos’ goal-minder revealing his utmost respect for the Azzurri international.
"Gigi is a reference point for me,” Casillas told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Anyone of my generation who dreamt of becoming a goalkeeper had the target of emulating him.”
The 33-year-old also revealed his admiration for midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, who remains on course for a third Champions League crown of his career.
"Andrea is fantastic for everything that he knows how to do with the ball," the Spanish international said. "It's a pleasure for all of us who love football to be able to watch him."
Casillas is expecting a tense encounter in Turin, and feels it will be an even match-up with both teams missing big names due to injury.
"I'm expecting two games with few goals but of high tension until the final minute,” he said.
"Also, while they're missing [Paul] Pogba, we're missing [Luka] Modric and [Karim] Benzema, so there's balance also in terms of the absentees."
Kick-off at the Juventus Stadium is scheduled for 20:45.