Casto Espinosa Barriga (born 18 June 1982), known simply as Casto, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Born in Pueblonuevo del Guadiana, Province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Casto spent four years at local Mérida (formative years included), making seven league appearances for the seniors in the Segunda División B. In 2003, he moved to Logroñés where he played one season before joining Albacete of Segunda División, featuring in one match for the first team in 2005âÂÂ06.
Casto signed with Real Betis in the summer of 2006, where he initially began as third-choice behind Pedro Contreras and Toni Doblas. With the arrival of Portuguese international Ricardo in the following campaign, it seemed as though he would be provided with little opportunity to shine, even with Contreras' departure. However, after a serious injury to Doblas, he was called up from the reserves; after Ricardo also went down with a minor ailment, he made his debut in La Liga on 16 December 2007, in a 3âÂÂ1 home win against AlmerÃÂa.
In March and April 2008, Casto, who eventually overtook Ricardo as starter after the latter's recovery, featured in Betis' first three back-to-back victories in over two years, with wins over Osasuna, Barcelona and Real Zaragoza. In his first five games, his team won four, with the player keeping clean sheets in three.
As coach, Paco Chaparro stayed on the bench for the 2008âÂÂ09 season and Casto won the battle for first-choice over Ricardo, being the undisputed starter during the early stages, a situation which would revert midway through the season. He started often after Ricardo's departure to Leicester City, only being overtaken by Adrián in 2012âÂÂ13.
Casto left the Verdiblancos after his contract expired, and resumed his career in the second tier, representing Real Murcia, Las Palmas, AlmerÃÂa, Alcorcón and Extremadura. With the latter side, he spent the first half of the 2018âÂÂ19 campaign unregistered as they had surpassed the agreed salary cap.
With Extremadura back in division three, Casto was released in January 2022 due to the club's severe financial problems. The following month, the 39-year-old announced his retirement.
Betis