Casemiro's next stage could be the United States, where Lionel Messi plays. The Brazilian midfielder leaving Manchester United is getting closer to Inter Miami.
British outlet TalkSport reported on the 24th (KST), "Casemiro is close to a move to Major League Soccer (MLS). Inter Miami is a likely destination." The New York Post and ESPN in the United States also reported that Inter Miami is pursuing Casemiro's signing and that the player also prefers a move to Miami.
Casemiro's contract with Manchester United ends this summer. Manchester United decided not to trigger the one-year extension option. The defensive midfielder who led Real Madrid to five Champions League titles lifted trophies at Manchester United as well, but he did not become the centerpiece of a long rebuild. He showed a strong presence in his first season, but over time he struggled with the Premier League's pace and Manchester United's unstable structure.
Still, his reputation remains. Casemiro knows how to hold firm in big matches. His positioning, second-ball response, defending in front of the box and set-piece presence do not disappear easily. He remains an important resource for the Brazil national team. This is also why MLS wants him. Beyond simple star marketing, they need a veteran who can stabilize things on the field.
Inter Miami is already a club that draws global attention centered on Messi. South American stars such as Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul are stationed there. If Casemiro joins them, the midfield's heft will change. The picture of Messi unlocking the attack while Casemiro provides balance behind him is powerful for MLS's commercial appeal. It's also interesting for domestic fans. If Son Heung-min is playing in the same league at LAFC and Casemiro joins as well, MLS's star power will grow.
But there are issues to resolve. ESPN reported that Inter Miami currently does not have an open designated player slot. MLS's salary cap and designated player rules are intertwined, so you cannot simply buy a signing in the European way by spending money. To bring Casemiro in on a non-designated player contract, salary adjustments would be necessary.
LA Galaxy's discovery rights are also a variable. In MLS, a club that first registers a particular player can hold rights close to a negotiation priority. According to reports, LA Galaxy holds rights related to Casemiro, so Miami would need to negotiate compensation to complete the signing.
Casemiro reportedly drew interest from Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad and LA Galaxy as well. But the current flow is toward Miami. The player has achieved almost everything at the top level in Europe. Now is the time to weigh a new lifestyle, World Cup preparation, family environment and the league's growth potential together.
Casemiro, who helped create an era alongside Kroos and Modrić at Real Madrid, could play on the same team as Messi. The two greats who once faced each other in El Clásico would wear the same jersey in the United States. The final signature has yet to be made, but MLS's summer is already heating up.
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