MY ACCOUNT
Casemiro said the qualities of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric made it “easy” to star in Real Madrid’s midfield ahead of his move to Manchester United, as he backed Los Blancos to replace him from within.
The Brazil international is joining United in a deal reportedly worth an initial £60million (€70m), having won an incredible 18 trophies during a nine-year spell with Madrid.
Casemiro lifted the Champions League on five occasions during his time in the Spanish capital, and produced a masterful performance as Carlo Ancelotti’s team clinched their 14th European crown against Liverpool in May.
Modric, Kroos and Casemiro have been key throughout one of the most successful spells in Madrid’s history, starting together in four Champions League finals (in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022), and the 30-year-old admits he will miss the duo.
“All the titles that you win, all the training sessions, the games you play, they make you happy, just realising you are a Real Madrid player,” Casemiro said at a news conference on Monday.
“This era, winning five Champions League titles, is a once in a lifetime experience and very special to me, something I’ll never forget.
“Speaking about Kroos and Modric, they’re my great friends, and apart from on the pitch I also think about them as two fantastic people and the great friends they’ve been to me.
“It’s very easy to play alongside them, I don’t have much work to do, I will give them all the credit for all the work they have done. Of course, I will miss them a lot.
“It was difficult to talk to them, like it was in my conversation with the president. Toni sent me a message at 4am, asking me if all the rumours were true.
“I’m really loyal to all of my team-mates, not just these two team-mates, but I have to be sincere with myself. If my time here is over, I have to take a step forward. I’m going to a great club, the biggest in the UK.
“I will always be a fan, celebrate Real Madrid’s goals and titles, which they will continue to win, no doubt about it. Real Madrid players are the best in the world and it’s the best club in the world – it will always be like that for me.”
With Kroos absent through illness, Madrid fielded a new-look midfield as they made it two wins from two outings in LaLiga by thrashing Celta Vigo 4-1 on Saturday, with Eduardo Camavinga and recent arrival Aurelien Tchouameni joining Modric in the starting line-up.
And Casemiro believes the presence of the two young French talents means Madrid may not need to replace him, adding: “Real Madrid is a club that always signs the best players in the world.
“Aurelien could also do the job, he’s the kind of player that Madrid can rely on for many years to come. Toni and Modric will play at this high level but he can be a great asset as well.
“Camavinga already showed us how important he can be as well. Tchouameni is also a player that is very important, in the French national team as well.
“Real Madrid find themselves in a great place right now, they have great players and will continue to win important titles, that’s what this club is about.”
