During Tite’s long tenure at the head of the Brazilian team, between 2016 and 2022, midfielder Casemiro was one of the pillars of the team’s midfield.
Known for his firmness and efficiency in tackling, the player revealed at São Paulo’s academy established himself during the period as one of the fundamental pieces of one of the most dominant midfields in world football at Real Madrid, alongside German Toni Kroos and Croatian Luka Modrić.
During his victorious period in Madrid, much of it under the command of Carlo Ancelotti, Casemiro collected five Champions League cups and three Spanish Championship cups, as well as another three from the FIFA Club World Cup (International Football Federation) and the Spanish and UEFA Super Cups.
One of the most experienced names in the group, the player from São José dos Campos (SP) continued to be a reference in the national team’s midfield during the short stint of interim Ramon Menezes, and also under Fernando Diniz, when he took on the captain’s armband.
However, he was not called once after Dorival Júnior took office, between January 2024 and March 2025, when there was talk of the end of Casemiro’s cycle with hopscotch.
In the 16 games in which he led the team, Dorival tested a series of new names for the Brazilian midfield, such as João Gomes, André, Éderson, Douglas Luiz and Joelinton, without any of them managing to establish themselves among the team’s starters.
“With regards to Casemiro, he deserves all the respect, from all of us. I had a conversation with him in Manchester about three months ago. I explained what I thought about his situation, his team’s situation, and what I needed, needed. It doesn’t mean, because he’s not coming right now, that he is or will be ruled out, in no sense”, said the coach after leaving the midfielder out of the squad for the 2024 Copa América.
The period away from the national team also coincided with a phase below expectations at Manchester United.
After having a good debut season for the club, where he arrived in August 2022, the Brazilian dropped in production in his second year in England.
In addition to the team’s problems, with a tactical scheme designed by Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag that left the midfielder very exposed when protecting the defense, Casemiro suffered from some injuries and became the target of a series of criticisms from fans and part of the English media, with questions related to his physical conditioning and decisions made on the field.
“I was considered one of the best signings in the Premier League last season and now I’m worthless? Criticism is disrespectful. So when there’s a lack of respect it’s worrying, and I don’t have to respect that either”, complained the player.
Things began to change for Casemiro with the dismissal of Dorival Júnior from the Brazilian team and Ten Hag from United.
The midfielder was called up again and resumed his starting role in Carlo Ancelotti’s first game, against Ecuador, in the qualifiers. He justified his return to the national team after more than a year away by being one of the team’s best on the field, winning most aerial and ground duels.
He has played nine of the team’s ten matches under the Italian’s command so far, taking turns with defender Marquinhos as team captain. He did not only participate in the clash against Bolivia, in the last round of the Qualifiers, as he was suspended.
In parallel, at United, Casemiro also recovered his prestige, especially after the arrival of Michael Carrick as coach, with the adoption of a more compact system that did not leave the midfielder so exposed in protecting the defense.
“Casemiro has been fantastic since I arrived, on and off the field. Experience is valuable when used in the right way. He has been an example for the young people and the group. He is playing at a very high level and it is a pleasure to work with him”, said the former midfielder and current coach of the Red Devils.
The first athlete in the group to present himself for the training period at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, the Brazilian midfielder arrives at the World Cup again with his prestige on the rise, as one of the names considered untouchable in Ancelotti’s team in midfield, alongside Bruno Guimarães, at the same time as he negotiates the contract with his next club — negotiations are underway with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
