Casemiro: I chose Miami to play with the 'God of football' Messi
According to Soccernews.
Context
Former Manchester United player Casemiro has chosen to join Inter Miami to play alongside Messi, underlining the importance of this bond for his career. His experience and determination to win could be crucial to the club's success in MLS, especially at a time when the team is trying to consolidate its position in the playoffs.
Why it matters
Casemiro's arrival at Inter Miami represents a significant reinforcement for the team, which is experiencing an excellent moment with six consecutive victories. His admiration for Lionel Messi not only highlights the club's attractiveness, but could also positively influence the team's performance in MLS. The presence of high-profile players like Casemiro and Messi could further raise the level of football in Major League Soccer.
Key points
- Casemiro: I chose Miami to play with the 'God of football' Messi.
- Casemiro expresses his joy at arriving at Inter Miami, underlining his admiration for Lionel Messi and the team's recent success.
- Casemiro: I joined Miami to play with 'God of football' Messi.
Casemiro has stated that his main motivation for joining Inter Miami is to play alongside Lionel Messi, the "God of Football", who he considers the best footballer of all time. The Brazilian midfielder made his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut in a 1-0 win against CF Montreal, where Luis Suarez scored the only goal from the penalty spot. This was the sixth straight win for Miami, who now sit just two points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC before facing the Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Messi has not featured for Miami since the World Cup break, having been given an extended holiday after leading Argentina to the final, where they lost to Spain. He returned to training with Guillermo Hoyos' team on Wednesday, but it is not yet clear whether he will be available for the match against Columbus, which will be Miami's last match in MLS before the Leagues Cup break. Casemiro is looking forward to taking the field alongside the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner when that moment presents itself.
"For me, without a doubt, I just came to play with the best player of all time," Casemiro told reporters during his introductory press conference. "I want to enjoy him, I want to help him continue to win, because he is a winner. Another player joins him who wants to win, who wants to compete.
"I am where I want to be in MLS. I left Manchester United as a free agent, I had options in Italy and other teams in various places, but I am here where I want to be. I want to enjoy Messi's company, help him win and make him even greater. He is one of, if not the God of football, and I want to help him."
Casemiro has already shared the pitch with Messi many times, albeit as an opponent, when the Brazilian played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Casemiro and Messi took part in 11 El Clasicos during their respective spells in Spain, with Barcelona victorious on five occasions and Madrid in four (two draws), while Messi scored five goals in those ties.
“The amount of trouble Messi gave me, obviously I dreamed of playing with him,” Casemiro said. "I always wanted to play with the best. I could never stop him; I always needed the help of my teammates. I'm very happy to be with him now and I want to continue winning together with him."
The Columbus Crew is in eleventh place in the Eastern Conference before the trip to Fort Lauderdale, three points away from the playoff zone. They earned their first win since the World Cup returned last Saturday, defeating Ohio rivals FC Cincinnati 2-1.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT
Inter Miami – Luis Suarez
Suarez has scored six goals in his last three MLS appearances, including the only goal in Miami's win in Montreal. The Uruguayan has tallied 39 goals in 68 regular season games, with only eight players scoring more since Suarez made his MLS debut in 2024.
Columbus Crew – Daniel Gazdag
Gazdag scored on a penalty for the second straight game in the Crew's win over Cincinnati last Saturday. This was his 27th career penalty goal, tying Chris Wondolowski for third-most in MLS history. Only Jaime Moreno (44) and Landon Donovan (31) have scored more from the penalty spot.
MATCH PREDICTION – INTER MIAMI WIN
Columbus won two of its last three regular-season games, including a derby victory over Cincinnati. Since the start of July 2025, Columbus has only once won back-to-back games in MLS, beating the LA Galaxy and Philadelphia Union in April. But they face a tall order, with Miami having won six straight regular-season games for the first time in club history. The only team to win seven straight regular-season games since the start of last season was Charlotte FC, which won nine in a row from July to September 2025. Additionally, Miami has won six of its last seven regular-season games against the Crew (D1), including the last four meetings in a row. The Herons have only once had a five-game winning streak against a single opponent in MLS, accomplishing that feat against Toronto FC in 2021 and 2022.
OPTATE WINNING ODDS
Inter Miami – 54.1%
Columbus Crew – 24.9%
Draw – 21%
What happens now
Inter Miami prepares to face Columbus Crew in a crucial match, before the Leagues Cup break. With Messi returning to training, his availability for the match could have a significant impact on the outcome. The team is currently just two points behind the Eastern Conference leaders, and a win could further improve their prospects for the rest of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score of the match between Inter Miami and CF Montreal?
Inter Miami won 1-0 against CF Montreal.
Who scored the goal for Inter Miami in the match against CF Montreal?
Luis Suarez scored the only goal from a penalty for Inter Miami.
What is Inter Miami's current position in the Eastern Conference?
Inter Miami is just two points behind the Eastern Conference leaders, Nashville SC.
When will Inter Miami play against Columbus Crew?
Inter Miami will face Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Will Messi be available for the match against Columbus Crew?
It is not yet clear whether Messi will be available for the match against Columbus Crew.
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