Brazilian midfielder Casemiro wept on Monday as he bade an emotional farewell to Real Madrid following a trophy-laden nine-year stay with the La Liga club.
“When I got here, my wife and I knew nobody. We were alone and we built our life story here in this city together,” the Manchester United-bound player said as tears rolled down his cheeks. “I arrived at the reserve team and I had to fight my way to the first team. I learned the values of this club, while working at their academy, to be the purest part of football.
“I have won a lot here, but I’ve always felt that the greatest honour was to come here to work every day,” added the 30-year-old, who won three La Liga, one Copa del Rey and five Champions League titles among many other accolades. Casemiro gave special thanks to teammates Luka Modric and Tony Kroos for their support. The trio became known as “KCM”.
An emotional Real Madrid president Florentino Perez praised Casemiro for all he had done at the club. “You have been exemplary every single day in all of these years here. You have earned the right to decide your future and we must respect it. You... leave the image of the champion that you are,” Perez said. “You are going to a friendly club, the legendary Manchester United, but wherever you are, you will always be an ambassador of Real Madrid. “You will always be one of us... Thank you, Case, this is and always will be your home.”
Message for Cristiano
United, who have lost both their matches in the Premier League so far, will not be playing in the Champions League this season. But Casemiro is not too bothered about that. Rather, he is excited at the prospect of reuniting with former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The Premier League is a competition I’ve always liked and always wanted to play in. I want to face new challenges, know a different league, a different country, different culture. “I’m excited about what’s ahead of me. It’s true that they (United) are not in the Champions League right now, but I’m excited. I haven’t spoken with Cristiano Ronaldo yet, but I’m excited to play with him again. I’m so keen toget started, with the biggest club in England.”
Despite rumours of Cristiano’s possible exit, Casemiro said: “I hope Cristiano stays, I want to play with him again, he’s incredible.”
(Written with inputs from Reuters)
