Casemiro arrives at Inter Miami after stating that playing with Lionel Messi was one of the primary reasons for his decision to join Major League Soccer. The Brazil midfielder described Messi as the “god of football” and added that he would like to keep the Argentine forward winning trophies. The 34-year-old is a free agent following his time with Manchester United and inked a deal with Inter Miami that will end when the 2027 MLS season concludes with an option for the team to pick up the next season (June 2029) as a free agent.
In his official unveiling, Casemiro said he’d heard from clubs in Italy and other leagues, but that Inter Miami was the one that he’d chosen because he wanted to play on the same pitch as Messi. The ex-Real Madrid midfielder admitted he couldn’t have passed up the chance to play with one of football’s greatest ever players. He praised Messi for his winning mentality and his wish to make a contribution to the club’s future success. Casemiro was previously in direct confrontation with Messi in Real Madrid’s nine seasons in the club, when he was at the height of his Barcelona power.
The Brazilian acknowledged that capturing Messi was always a tough task and usually an assist was required from his teammates. A transfer that unites two players that have dominated European football over the past decade and a half with two good medals each.
Casemiro has won several Champions League championships for Real Madrid, and Messi has had historic success with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Argentina and now Inter Miami. The Brazil midfielder is set to make his first appearance for Inter Miami against Columbus Crew, after making his debut in a 1-0 win over CF Montreal.
