Manchester United star Casemiro has responded to Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher’s infamous ‘leave the football’ comment about him in 2024. The Brazilian midfielder has played a key role in bringing the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League this season.
The veteran midfielder previously endured tough spells of form at the club. After a 4-0 loss against Crystal Palace in 2024, Jamie Carragher claimed Casemiro was finished as an elite player. He said (via The Mirror):
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“There’s a saying I always remember as a footballer, ‘Leave the football before the football leaves you.’ The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move.”
Two years later, Casemiro has silenced his critics with his performances for Manchester United. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his Rio Ferdinand Meets YouTube channel, the 34-year-old midfielder reacted to the comments made by the former Liverpool defender. He said:
“So… It’s your opinion. I respect your opinion. I don’t like it because it’s disrespectful. It’s disrespectful to me.
“What I win in football. But football changes. Life changes. Life changes. So, look now. It’s about this. For me, the best thing in this moment we speak in Spain is I live in the big dark. I live in a good feeling.
“Everyone misses Casemiro. You know? About this, I decided to leave because I live in good. Because it’s the same in Madrid. Everyone misses me there. Everyone misses this team. Now, it’s the same. So, life changes.
“It’s the life. Everyone forgets very quick. Everyone forgets very quick. But, again, the mentality.”
Casemiro has announced his decision to leave Manchester United in the summer. He has been instrumental for Michael Carrick’s side this season, scoring 9 goals in 33 appearances in the Premier League. He will play his final home game for the club against Nottingham Forest, followed by a trip to Brighton.
Casemiro on why Michael Carrick deserves to be the permanent Manchester United boss
Speaking in the same interview, Casemiro claimed Carrick deserved to be the full-time Manchester United manager. He highlighted some of his traits that make him a good head coach. He said (via United in Focus):
“Ancelotti, he is a big manager because he understands. He played. He knows what the players need to listen to, and he pushes, but he knows the time to push. He [Carrick] knows. So for me, he deserves it [the job].
“He has very good staff. He’s very intelligent. But for me, the best thing he knows about the club. He understands the club.”
Edited by Vignesh Raja
