Casemiro (34) is leaving Manchester United for the United States. His destination is Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi (39) plays.
Brazil's Globo reported on the 21st (Korean time), "Casemiro is close to agreeing to a three-year contract with Messi's team. He rejected offers from European clubs and is expected to sign with Inter Miami before the World Cup."
The veteran midfielder Casemiro earlier this year released that his farewell with Man United was confirmed at the end of this season. He showed a revived form after noticeably losing weight since last season. Many fans asked him to stay for one more year, but Casemiro will leave Man United at the end of his contract and take on a new challenge.
Casemiro already said goodbye to fans at the home finale of the 2025-2026 season against Nottingham Forest on the 17th. With his family watching, he received a standing ovation and took off the Man United jersey for the last time. After the moving farewell, Casemiro was so overcome with emotion that he could not properly conduct a farewell press conference.
There was intense interest about the next move for Casemiro, who became a free agent. Not only Inter Miami, but LAFC, where Son Heung-min plays, the Saudi Pro League, and Italy's Serie A were reported to have contacted him. Local reports also said LAFC was leading the signing race.
But Casemiro chose to play on the same team as Messi. Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, identified him as a replacement for Sergio Busquets and reportedly made an active push. Casemiro's transfer is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026 CONCACAF Gold Cup? North and Central American World Cup, which opens in less than a month.
Globo said, "Casemiro will play his third World Cup with the Brazil national team as a member of his new club," and added, "Negotiations have been ongoing for more than two months, and only administrative details remain. Casemiro wants to enter the World Cup having already settled his future."
The outlet added, "Casemiro also received offers from Saudi Arabia and Italy. Inter Milan and Juventus showed interest in him," and explained, "But Casemiro decided that a move to the United States was best for his life and career with his family. He judged that at Inter Miami he would be part of a team with good infrastructure and competitiveness while being able to handle a less grueling schedule than in Europe."
Another U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) club, LA Galaxy, also wanted to sign Casemiro. In fact, LA Galaxy had first contact among MLS clubs, so they had priority.
However, Casemiro showed greater interest in Inter Miami because it is a coastal city and the club itself is attractive. According to Globo, a return to Brazil was never an option for him.
Casemiro has already played his final match for Man United. Globo reported, "Casemiro leaves Man United after four seasons and two trophies. He won the English League Cup and the FA Cup. This season he scored a career-high nine goals. Casemiro is not expected to play in Man United's final Premier League round."
Meanwhile, Man United achieved this season's goal with Casemiro's final spark. With only the finale remaining, they secured third place in the league with 68 points and clinched a spot in next season's Union of European Football Associations Champions League (UEFA Champions League). Interim manager Michael Carrick, who led the team's resurgence, is expected to be appointed the permanent manager soon.
[Photo] 433, Man United social media.
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