The Brazilian may have left the Santiago Bernabéu, but he retains good memories of Champions League nights in the Spanish capital.
Although he left the club in the summer of 2022, it is clear that Casemiro will have a special place in his heart for Real Madrid forever.
The Brazilian midfielder spent a decade with Madrid before his move to Manchester United and took an incredible trophy trail during his time in the Spanish capital. Three Laliga titles, a Copa del Rey, Three Supercopa de España and three FIFA Club World Cups would be an impressive collection for every player. But it is in the Champions League that Casemiro, and the Great Madrid teams of which he was a part, written real history.
Casemiro won five Champions League titles during a shimmering career at Real Madrid. For context, that is as much as Barcelona has won in the entire 69-year history of the competition.
With Real Madrid who prepared for another famous European evening in the Bernabéu on Wednesday, our Real Madrid expert Tomás Roncero spoke with Casemiro about his time in Spain, that incredible European record and his ties with Madrid.
The first topic of conversation? Last week we had to get the thoughts of the Brazilian about that remarkable Champions League win over Manchester City, another incredible evening in the rich European history of Madrid …
Roncero: Have you viewed the game in the Etihad while you live in the neighborhood?
Casemiro: “Of course. These are the kind of games that are exciting to watch for those of us who love football. “
Do you regularly watch the Real Madrid matches?
'Not all, but I look at many. I like to follow them. That said, the games in Spain are played very late. When they are at night, I sometimes go to bed to rest. But of course I follow as much as I can. '
City won 2-1 at Etihad, did you expect a comeback?
“It was no surprise for me. Madrid almost always does that, and everyone knows the history of this team and which they are capable of. Madrid always plays until the end and never gives up. Even when I lost 2-1, I knew that there was still much of the game left to play. And that is with City and a great coach like Guardiola. But they did it.
“Now the return to the Bernabéu will be with a great result of the 3-2. But it will not be easy. They are strong with Guardiola, but the Bernabéu on those Champions League evenings is very special. I wish all the happiness in the world to my former teammates, not only because of my rivalry with the city, but especially for Madrid. Hopefully they get the knockout phases. “
You have won five Champions League titles in Madrid. What is it about that sweater that gives the team something extra in this competition?
“If you are inside and then leave the club like I did, look for the most complete answer to what you have experienced. The big key is that Madrid is preparing his players. Madrid always has a basis, what the values they use in you are. When I arrived, Cristiano [Ronaldo]Sergio Ramos, [Iker] Casillas … were already there. Players who had the identity of the club. Then Casemiro came, [Luka] Modric … and then Vinicius, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo arrived. The basics and values of the club have been set.
“The president himself sends those values to you. When you come to Madrid, you see it and enjoy everything. You know who to follow. When [Jude] Bellingham arrived, he quickly understood the identity of the club. Vinicius needed five years to settle and become the great player he is. Madrid knew how to prepare him, and now he is a top player worldwide. “
Mbappé first struggled.
“Yes, but he is arranged now and he will score 30 or 40 goals a year. The young boys, such as Rodrygo, [Eder] Militao, or Fede – which I admire a lot for how he plays and gives everything – knows how to wait at their moment. And it always comes. The adjustment of young players is helped by the veterans who explain how everything works there. “
Vinicius, Rodrygo, Valverde, Casemiro … You all started at the Castilla Academy.
“Of course. For me it was a school of learning. Castilla is the youth system, even when you come from the outside. We have arrived by Valdebebas, not the Bernabéu. With the young players you learn to appreciate what can come. It was one From the most beautiful decisions in my life to accept playing for Castilla, even the children from Real Madrid C. It was a very nice time for me. “
Back to Wednesday's game in the Bernabéu. What about this stadium makes magical nights happen?
“It's all. Not only the field, it is also the city. When you come to Madrid, you have the feeling that you land in the best team in the world. And when you first set up the sweater, you know that you hear it. You believe it because you see your dream come true. “
“The Bernabéu -Mixte is the most demanding in the world. You can lead, win the game, and they still tell you that you have to go further, to go for more, not to return. The key to all this is that Madrid is made to win. I don't care how it happens – 1-0 or 5-0 – Madrid is about winning. Win, next game. Win, go for another victory. You don't talk about the last one. They let you get used to winning. Madrid was made for that. This club can be summarized in one word: winning. “
Is that why Madrid has 15 Champions League titles and people are already talking about the 16th?
'Let me tell you something that I have not shared in any interview until today. After we won the Champions League in Milan against Atleti, the one we won on penalties, we were in the dressing room to celebrate the 11th title of the club, and Luka Modric came to us and said, calm and in his peculiar Spanish, “guys, we now have to win two Champions competitions. “We said,” Come on, Luka, we just won two since Lisbon. “He replied:” No, no. With this team we have to take advantage and make history by winning two more in a row. “And we won The 12th in Cardiff and the 13th in Kiev.
'In Madrid you win the champions and the next day they tell you:' What about next year? 'You only win the competition, and well, no problem, they will say you missed the European Cup. You only win the cup, and they will say that the season was a disaster. That is Madrid, the highest expectations. “
What is it like to lose a game?
“If Madrid loses a game, even if they have just won ten in a row, there is talk of a crisis. That is the key to Madrid's success. It is primarily a winning team. Only winning things. “
Do you think the Golden Age of Messi in Barça was overshadowed in five years by those four Champions League triumphs?
“It's hard to say. Messi has been one of the best players in history, but we still had one, Cristiano Ronaldo. What both did is unforgettable. In my generation, the best Cristiano, Messi … and I would add Neymar something behind them. I would place it in the stage. But what Cristiano did for football and how he changed it is huge.
“Just as Guardiola football changed with Tiki-Taka, these two have also changed it. 50 goals per season, and it seemed normal. Those two players will stay in the memory forever. But we won those Champions competitions with Zinedine Zidane, which also marked an era. “
Of course, three champions competitions in a row!
“What a team we had. Cristiano, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, [Raphael] Varane, [Dani] Carvajal, Toni [Kroos]Luka, Karim [Benzema]who later became a balloon d'Or winner. And [Gareth] Bale, Isco when he played … It was a team of men who inspired a lot of respect from rivals. That is why we have written history, and that history remains. “
With Manchester United you won titles and arranged last year as the second most valuable player in the team. And this is not the United 20 years ago that won trophies every season?
“No, it's not. But it's still a big club. It goes through a transition, like each team at certain points in their history. When I arrived, I saw the passion of the fans, and that was something that touched me deeply. We may not be in the same period of dominance as in previous decades, but Manchester United has always been a team that fights and stands for something. It is a big challenge and we continue to fight for trophies, just as we did last season. “
Is there a difference in mentality between playing for Real Madrid and Manchester United?
“Of course there is a difference. Real Madrid has ingrained a very strong winning mentality in its history. The culture is all about reaching greatness, being the best. Manchester United also has a rich history and incredible fans, but Real Madrid is built to consistently win Champions League titles. At United there is an unmistakable drive, but it takes a little more time to return to that level of European dominance. It is about adjusting and growing to reach those heights again. However, dedication and professionalism are the same. “
You played in one of the most iconic teams, usually next to Kroos and Modrić. Do you miss playing in that midfield?
“Absolutely. That period was special and it still gives me cold shivers when I think back to it. We had an incredible concept of the field. We didn't have to speak to much; we just knew what was going to do. We created a great balance It was a pleasure to play next to Luka and Toni.
Are you proud of those successes with Madrid?
“Of course it was a very proud moment for all of us. Those three Champions League victories will go in history. We had a fantastic team with players of world class. The basis of the team was built on incredible talent and a deep belief in our ability to win. What we achieved in that period was extraordinary. “
Do you think Real Madrid will continue to dominate in the Champions League?
“Real Madrid will always be a competition in the Champions League. It's in the DNA of the club. They may not always win every year, but they are always a team that can go completely. The spirit of the team, the mentality of the players and the atmosphere in the Bernabéu are all factors that make this club unique. As long as that continues, Real Madrid always gets the chance to relieve the Champions League again.
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