Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has revealed that he always dreamed of playing alongside Lionel Messi, especially after spending years facing him as a fierce rival with Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team.
Casemiro also said he is eager to help the Argentine superstar continue winning trophies with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.
“I always want to be with the best. I dreamed every day of being with him, of playing alongside him. I know it’s impossible to stop him—I never managed to do it. I always needed the help of my teammates,” Casemiro said during his official presentation as an Inter Miami player.
“Every footballer dreams of playing with one of the greatest players of all time. I’m living that dream now, and I want to enjoy it while helping him continue to win,” he added, before describing Messi as one of the “gods of football.”
Casemiro signed for Inter Miami last week after his contract with Manchester United expired this summer. He made his first start for the club on Saturday in a 1-0 victory over CF Montreal.
“I was very clear that if I ever played for an MLS team, it would be Inter Miami,” the 34-year-old midfielder added.
He also revealed that he spoke with several players before joining Major League Soccer, including his fellow Brazilian Kaká, who spent three seasons with Orlando City.
Casemiro is expected to strengthen Inter Miami’s defense, an area where the Florida club has struggled in recent years. Those defensive weaknesses have largely been masked by a prolific attack led by Messi. The departure of Sergio Busquets at the end of last season only made those defensive issues more apparent during the current campaign.
Inter Miami are the reigning MLS Cup champions and currently sit second in the Eastern Conference with 37 points, just two behind Nashville. They are also set to begin their Leagues Cup campaign next Wednesday, a competition they previously won in 2023.