Casemiro: Man Utd move not about money
FT Desk
- 22 Aug 2022 16:53 BST
- 3 min read
Casemiro may have given up Champions League football this season in leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United, but the Brazil midfielder insists his move was not about the money.
Casemiro is set to be presented by United ahead of their Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Monday night - although he will not feature in the meeting between England's two most trophy-laden clubs.
United have been crowned European champions three times, most recently in 2008, but they won't even pull up a chair to European football's top table this season after finishing sixth domestically last.
I'm not crying, Casemiro's crying 😭pic.twitter.com/4eVXio0xYe
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 22, 2022
Casemiro has more than doubled his wages to €21.5 million a year following his €80m transfer, but he says his motivation stretches beyond any financial implications.
"If it was about money I would have left four or five years ago," the Brazilian said in an emotional farewell ceremony at the Bernabeu.
"I'm going to the biggest team in the world, that can compete with the greatness of Real Madrid, although now it doesn't."
No Ronaldo contact
"I haven't spoken to Cristiano, I hope he stays because he's one of the best players of all time," Casemiro continued.
"Everything I did here, I want to do there too. I want to win the league there.
"I am going through one of the best moments of my career. I feel I'm really fit, mentally I feel great, and I feel like it's a great moment to take this decision."
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Casemiro has won the Champions League five times with Real. Three of those were consecutive wins between 2016 and 2018, in which Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane were his teammates.
With the three reunited at Old Trafford, Man Utd certainly have significant star power on paper. Whether they can combine to propel the Red Devils to previous heights this season remains to be seen.
United are currently rock-bottom of the Premier League, having lost their first two games of the season to Brighton and Brentford.
