Impressed with Messi is the reason Casemiro joined Inter Miami
JAKARTA - Brazilian midfielder Casemiro calls Lionel Messi a football god and adds that he joined Inter Miami to help the Argentine striker win more trophies in his record-breaking career.
Casemiro signed with Inter Miami last week as a free transfer until the 2027 MLS season, with an option to extend until June 2029.
The 34-year-old said he had several options to continue his career after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season, but the attraction of Inter Miami and playing alongside eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi was the most appealing.
"For me, without a doubt, I came just to play with the best player of all time. I want to enjoy, I want to help him to continue to win because he is a winner. Other players join to want to win, want to compete."
"I'm where I want to be in MLS. I left Manchester United as a free agent."
"I have options in Italy, other teams in different places, but I am where I want to be."
"I want to enjoy being with him, helping him win and making him better. He is a football god and I want to help him," Casemiro said on Thursday, July 30, 2026, local time, when he was introduced to his new home in the MLS.
Since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, the team has won the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters' Shield, and the 2025 MLS Cup.
Casemiro previously spent nine seasons at Real Madrid, where he faced Messi-powered Barcelona as the biggest rival.
It was that experience that motivated the Brazilian midfielder to play alongside Messi.
"The amount of problems Messi gave me, of course I dream of playing with him. I always want to play with the best."
"I can never stop him, I always need help from my teammates. I'm very happy to be with him now. I want to keep winning with him," said Casemiro.
Casemiro made his debut for Inter Miami on Sunday, July 26, 2026 WIB, in Canada in a 1-0 win over CF Montreal.
The midfielder will now play at his new home, the Nu Stadium, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, WIB morning, when facing Columbus Crew.
The MLS defending champions have won their last two games since the league resumed after the 2026 World Cup.
They are second in the Eastern Conference and in the Supporters' Shield race with 37 points, two points behind leaders Nashville SC.
Messi has not played for Inter Miami since the 2026 World Cup, when he scored eight goals to lead Argentina to their second consecutive final, which they lost 0-1 to Spain.
The 37-year-old returned from a break in Argentina to resume training at Inter Miami on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, although it is still unclear when he will return to the team's lineup.
Casemiro also featured at the 2026 World Cup, playing in all five matches for Brazil who suffered a shock defeat to Norway in the last 16.