CASEMIRO INSISTS HIS move to Manchester United is not motivated by money and says he is determined to succeed at what he believes is “the biggest team in the world”.
The Brazilian, who has enjoyed a glittering career at Real Madrid, winning five Champions Leagues and three LaLiga titles after joining in 2013, is set to be unveiled as Manchester United’s fourth summer signing for a fee of £60million.
United, who have suffered chastening losses to Brighton and Brentford at the start of the new season, have struggled to compete for trophies in recent seasons leading many to suggest Casemiro’s move was driven by money.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#GraciasCasemiro pic.twitter.com/I4hwQ3TEfF
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 22, 2022
But the 30-year-old said during his farewell ceremony at Real Madrid on Monday that he is excited by the challenge at Old Trafford.
“Those who think I’m leaving for money is because they don’t know me,” Casemiro said at the ceremony, as reported by Marca.
“I think there are a few (people) and they don’t know me. It’s not for money. They’re wrong. That’s not the case.
“At the end of the Champions League final (where Real Madrid beat Liverpool) I had the feeling that my cycle was over.
“I am honest. After the holidays, with a clear head, the feeling was the same. It wasn’t that fast. I already spoke with the club as soon as the Champions League finished.
“People don’t forget the club I’m going to, the biggest team in the world and that can compete with the greatness of Real Madrid, although now it doesn’t.”
Cristiano Ronaldo won four Champions League titles alongside Casemiro for Real Madrid but has been strongly linked with wanting a move away from Old Trafford this summer.
“I haven’t spoken to Cristiano, I hope he stays because he’s one of the best players of all time,” Casemiro added.
Casemiro’s deal was not completed in time for him to face Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Erik ten Hag has prioritised improving United’s midfield, with the signing of a holding midfielder in Casemiro’s mould something that many have suggested has been needed for a number of seasons.
The Brazilian says he wants to bring the success he enjoyed at Real to United.
“This change is my big challenge now; I spoke to my wife just three days ago and my wife said I look like an 18-year-old kid who is super excited about his new project, and I do feel so excited about playing in the Premier League,” Casemiro added, as quoted on United’s website.
“If I could, I would play today for United against Liverpool. I’m really excited, it’s a club with great history, I will have to work hard to make a name for myself because there, I have won nothing yet.
“At Manchester United, first of all, what I want is to transmit the way I feel about the club, my respect.
“Everything I did here (at Real Madrid), I want to do there too. I want to show my fighting spirit, capacity to work hard, professional attitude. I want to work hard every day to show how serious I am about them. I want to win the league there, I know it is an exciting league.
“I am going through one of the best moments of my career. I feel I’m really fit, mentally I feel great, and I want to continue to enjoy my day to day and hopefully, I can do that there. I feel like it’s a great moment to take this decision.”
Cork look to be the weakest team going into the Munster Championship this year. I really fear for us. The ground better dry up fast if we’re to have any hope.
Think Tipp will win the AI this year. Only lost to Galway by a point last year and were no where near their best.
Fair play to Limerick for going 10 games unbeaten.
@Munsterman: serious talent on that limerick side. Promising future ahead for limerick hopefully. Always were my second team outside of where im from.
Great win but the best is still to come.
Very hard to predict Tipps championship 15 now. Serious squad
What pissed many of us off was limerick v tipp just after munster v toulon, if the game was played today instead of last night after the munster v toulon game the attendance would have been double, i would have gone to thurles my self today, but no they played the game in thurles on a saturday night, i can not make out weather it was stupid or done on purpose.
@ktsiwot: who’s us? They could have moved the Munster game to today too!!
@Joe Kennedy: The Munster match was watched by millions around the world, I suspect it had more of a pull.
@Munsterman: haha….millions?! There was billions watching the hurling I believe!
@Joe Kennedy: I am from limerick and would have gone to that game if on today, was at thomond for what has an incredible match and atmosphere.
Many I know were in the same situation as well as many I met last night watching the match from both Limerick and Tipp.
They fixed that match last monday, they lost attendance and money, many were discussing it last night and could not get over the stupidity of it.
The majority of people follow all sport and not stuck to a specific mindset.
@Joe Kennedy: yes joe it is a european cup the pop of uk, france and ireland is well over 100 million, it is not stretching it to say a million saw the game. Nearly every one I new saw that match more so than the hurling match which was also brilliant.
@ktsiwot: excuses excuses. I made both comfortably. Even had time to stop in borrisoleigh for a hot chicken roll
@Tadhg Keating: good man Tadhg. Fair play.
@ktsiwot: he said “millions around the world” though!! Three European countries = the World does it?! Doesn’t matter anyway….was just laughing at the exaggeration. I follow all sports myself too by the way. Everyone I knew had no interest in the rugby…..not sure what that’s got to do with anything though!! Finally, as Tadhg said…. you could have made both if you really wanted to anyway no?
@Joe Kennedy: this match was broadcasted all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I’m not at all exaggerating when I said millions watched it.
@Munsterman: haha… ah come off it!! Throw up your source for your stats there! How do you know how many watched it in those countries?!
@ktsiwot: typical privileged rugby fanboy comment. They could just as easily moved the rugby match to Sunday or even Monday but of course no one can even suggest that. The games clash so it’s the GAA’s fault. End of story.
We will win no All Ireland with Barry fullback. He is a disaster, wrong side of his man all night, no idea how to defend and running around in circles. No one else given a chance at fullback apart from Hamill who we also know is too slow. Puckouts major issue aswell, embarrassing watching last night, not 1 Tipp player able to catch a ball, even standing on their own they stick the Hurley up to knock the ball down instead of catching it. Put your hand up for christ sake and catch the ball.
@Wedger: WHEN I PLAYED hurling no one had the nerve to put their hand up.IT WAS FAR TOO DANGEROUS..
@Michael Heery: me too. Many a finger bone popped out of place from getting a smack catching the ball. Miss that on a freezing sunday morning. Used to love getting bones clicked back into place. Seriously tough game! Tipp have some panel. Hard to look past them come business end of the season.