The start of a new chapter

Inter Miami have just finalised the signing of Casemiro, who has signed a three-year contract with the club.

The 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder began his professional career in 2010 and joins the club after enjoying the most prolific season of his career.

From an early age, Casemiro stood out for his leadership. At São Paulo, he was captain even in the youth teams, from the age of 11, and won the 2012 Copa Sudamericana with the club.

From Europe to the United States

Between 2013 and 2022, he became a key player for a dominant Real Madrid side, forming a historic midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, winner of the 2018 Ballon d’Or. With the ‘Blancos’, he won 18 trophies, including three La Liga titles and five Champions League titles in eight seasons. His first – and only – nomination for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ came in 2022, during his final season in Spain.

He then moved to Manchester United in the English Premier League, where he played for four seasons and won two trophies.

Despite going through some difficult spells at the club – during which some fans and journalists even questioned his ability to continue competing at the highest level of professional football – Casemiro turned things around and established himself as a key figure in the ‘Red Devils’ midfield.

Last season, despite being a defensive midfielder and already in his early 30s, Casemiro enjoyed the most prolific year of his career, scoring nine goals and finishing among the squad’s top scorers across all competitions.

Nicknamed “Cão Bravo” (Fierce Dog) for his intense and physical style, the defensive midfielder had already indicated that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. In May, he said: “I want to leave on a high, leave on good terms, leave on top. And the cycle has come to an end. I think it’s over. I think I need a new chapter. It’s been four really great years. Two titles. Five finals. I’ve really enjoyed it.” (TNT Sports Brasil)

A star-studded squad

He is now embarking on this new chapter by signing for Inter Miami in the American MLS.

The Florida-based club was founded in January 2018 and is chaired and co-owned by none other than David Beckham, the legendary Manchester United icon who was nominated for the BallBallon d’Orten times between 1997 and 2007.

Inter Miami gained worldwide recognition in 2023 when it signed Lionel Messi, the Argentine legend and record-holder with eight Ballons d’Or. Since then, he has become the team’s star player, scoring 90 goals in 104 matches. Last year, aged 38 and with 16 nominations for the award, the number 10 helped the club win its first-ever MLS Cup title.

Another big name in the squad is Luis Suárez, a seven-time nominee for the BallBallon d’Or, who is also one of the greatest strikers of the last generation.

In addition to him, two other players who have recently played for the club have also been on the shortlist for the award: Sergio Busquets, nominated in 2012, and Gonzalo Higuaín, nominated in 2016.

Alongside legends

With his move to Inter Miami, Casemiro joins a very select group of players who have had the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during their careers. The Brazilian had already played with Ronaldo at both Real Madrid and Manchester United, and is one of only two Brazilians in this exclusive club – alongside Arthur Melo, who played with Messi at Barcelona and with Ronaldo at Juventus.

Players who have played alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during their careers:

  1. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)

  2. Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina / Manchester United)

  3. André Gomes (Barcelona / Portugal)

  4. Ángel Di María (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)

  5. Arthur Melo (Barcelona / Juventus)

  6. Carlos Tevez (Argentina / Manchester United)

  7. Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain / Portugal)

  8. Deco (Barcelona / Portugal)

  9. Ezequiel Garay (Argentina / Real Madrid)

  10. Fernando Gago (Argentina / Real Madrid)

  11. Francisco Trincão (Barcelona / Portugal)

  12. Gabriel Heinze (Argentina / Manchester United)

  13. Gerard Piqué (Barcelona / Manchester United)

  14. Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina / Juventus)

  15. Henrik Larsson (Barcelona / Manchester United)

  16. Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)

  17. Lisandro Martínez (Argentina / Manchester United)

  18. Martín Cáceres (Barcelona / Juventus)

  19. Miralem Pjanić (Barcelona / Juventus)

  20. Nélson Semedo (Barcelona / Portugal)

  21. Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain / Portugal)

  22. Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)

  23. Paulo Dybala (Argentina / Juventus)

  24. Pity Martínez (Argentina / Al-Nassr)

  25. Renato Sanches (Paris Saint-Germain / Portugal)

  26. Sergio Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)

  27. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain / Portugal)

The decision to join the Florida project

Before signing for Inter Miami, Casemiro was also approached by LA Galaxy, another MLS club. He also received offers from teams in Saudi Arabia and Italy, but opted for the project in the United States, which combines infrastructure, competitiveness and a less intense fixture list than that of the European leagues.

Although he is currently in Miami, the midfielder has no immediate plans to visit the team at this stage, as he is fully focused on preparing with the Brazilian national team for tomorrow’s match against Scotland in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.