Casemiro joins Lionel Messi at Inter Miami after leaving Manchester United

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has finally found a new home after leaving Old Trafford, joining Lionel Messi with the reigning MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami.

The 34-year-old Brazilian international, who played a key part in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting lineup throughout their underwhelming recent FIFA World Cup run, has joined David Beckham’s side on a deal through the 2027 Sprint Season, with the option to extend his stay until the summer of 2029.

Currently operating on a spring-through-fall format, the MLS is set to switch to a summer-through-spring format (as is the norm across Europe) as of the 2027-2028 season, following a one-off Sprint Season.

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Casemiro will provide a welcome boost to Miami’s midfield, which has struggled at times to find its identity since Sergio Busquets retired after last season’s Cup triumph. His defensive capabilities will be particularly welcome at Nu Stadium, with the Herons’ defense having proved a regular liability both this and last season.

In a statement, Casemiro said, “What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the Club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me.

“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust—not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the Club has shown me.”

Fellow ex-Red Devils and Los Blancos midfielder and current Miami co-owner Beckham said he was “very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami. He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time.

“He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”

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Meanwhile, Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas, said he believed “Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami. We never settle.

“We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.

“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game.

“After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”

Once Casemiro - a five-time UEFA Champions League, three-time La Liga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup champion (among numerous other accolades) - receives his visa, he’ll join Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul in the Herons’ midfield as they continue to rebound after a rough start to the season under now-former head coach Javier Mascherano.

The ex-Barcelona star resigned abruptly in April, citing “personal reasons,” with Guillermo Hoyos having held the role on an interim basis ever since.

Miami returns to action following the MLS’s World Cup break on Wednesday in Florida against the Chicago Fire, who recently signed another former Barcelona star, Robert Lewandowski.