Man Utd’s Casemiro on his eternal idol and one last World Cup with Brazil

Casemiro left Real Madrid, but Real Madrid never left his heart. He still speaks warmly of his time at the Santiago Bernabéu and of the special bond he built with one of his coaches, Zinedine Zidane. Speaking on the program Premier Corner by Guinness 0.0 on DAZN, the Brazilian did not hide his admiration for the Frenchman.

Casemiro on admiration for Zidane

“When you’re a kid, everyone you see on television is a reference point. I really enjoyed watching those players,” he said. Among them, one stood above the rest. “For me, Zidane is number one. I always paid close attention to him.”

Years later, Casemiro and Zidane would join forces at Real Madrid, lifting major trophies together, including three consecutive Champions League titles – a feat that defined an era at the club.

Casemiro also reflected on how he has evolved during his time in Europe. “Even when you’re winning, you have to keep playing seriously, keep trying to win games,” he said. “I try to be the first in the gym and give everything in training as well, not just in games.”

There has never been much doubt about Casemiro’s professionalism. He has taken care of himself and trained with the same intensity since day one, which helps explain why he remains at the elite level at 34. He also emphasized the importance of constant growth. “Every day you learn something, in soccer and in life; I learn from my kids, I learn from my teammates, I learn from the coach. The important thing is to keep an open mind.”

Last World Cup with Brazil

Casemiro revealed that he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season. He will then join Brazil for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, after which his next career move remains uncertain.

Looking ahead to the tournament, the former Real Madrid midfielder predicted a tightly contested competition. “In the last World Cups there has always been a team that surprises; the most important thing is how you arrive in June and July,” he explained.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.