Casemiro Joins Inter Miami on Free Transfer and Praises Lionel Messi

Brazilian international midfielder Casemiro has officially completed a free transfer to Inter Miami CF after leaving Foxsports upon the expiration of his contract. The 34-year-old player signed a contract running through the conclusion of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, which includes an extension option until June 2029, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa.

Casemiro Signs Free Transfer with Inter Miami

Casemiro was officially presented as a new ESPN player on a Thursday, and he made his debut when the Herons secured a 1-0 victory over CF Montreal in MLS play. Despite drawing interest and having options to remain in European football with clubs in Italy, the midfielder insisted that Miami was his primary destination.

Praise for Lionel Messi and Reflection on El Clásico Past

At Inter Miami, Casemiro joins a star-studded squad that features former rivals and teammates, including BBC. Having spent years attempting to thwart the Argentine forward during intense El Clásico battles in Spain when Casemiro played for Real Madrid and Messi played for Barcelona, the Brazilian heaped immense praise on his new teammate.

Casemiro of Brazil is seen during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey — Photo: BBC

The amount of trouble Messi gave me, Casemiro stated, as quoted by Foxsports. I am very happy to be alongside him now and I want to continue winning titles with him. I want to enjoy being alongside him, help him and make him even greater. He is one of the gods of football, if not the God of football himself, and I want to help.

Since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, the club has collected multiple trophies, including the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and the 2025 MLS Cup.

MLS Tampering Investigation and Discovery Rights

Concurrently with his arrival, Major League Soccer announced it is reviewing a tampering allegation concerning Casemiro’s discovery rights, which are regulations that grant a specific club first refusal over a player wanting to join the league. The Los Angeles Galaxy held the discovery rights for Casemiro, and Inter Miami announced that the two clubs reached a settlement for the discovery priority.

Casemiro Joins Inter Miami on Free Transfer and Praises Lionel Messi — Photo: Inter Miami CF

Major League Soccer stated that it is gathering all relevant information and will release terms upon the conclusion of the tampering investigation. Inter Miami previously faced league penalties in 2021, when they were fined $2 million for breaking rules regarding the salary cap and roster compliance during the signing of Blaise Matuidi.

Extensive Career Honors and World Cup Background

Casemiro arrives in the United States with a heavily decorated career. During an eight-year run with Real Madrid, he won five UEFA Champions League titles, three UEFA Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, three LaLiga championships, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups. He subsequently made 160 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists while securing an EFL Cup and an FA Cup title.

FULL REMARKS: Inter Miami Unveil Casemiro as Brazilian Star Joins Lionel Messi in MLS | AC1B

On the international stage, the defensive midfielder has earned 91 caps for Brazil, capturing the 2019 Copa América and featuring in the 2018, 2022, and 2026 FIFA World Cups.

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