Why Casemiro's MLS move could reshape Inter Miami's midfield structure
· Yahoo Sports
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro will leave Old Trafford as a free agent when his contract expires this summer, with Inter Miami emerging as a primary destination, alongside the LA Galaxy, in MLS.
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Reports suggest Lionel Messi personally contacted Casemiro to invite him to join Inter Miami, marking a potential reunion between two players who faced each other in multiple El Clásicos.
The Tactical Gap Casemiro Would Fill
Inter Miami has identified Casemiro as its primary target to restore balance and hierarchy to its midfield following Sergio Busquets' departure. The lack of a true holding midfielder has forced Rodrigo De Paul into a deeper defensive role, diminishing his impact in the final third as he becomes preoccupied with buildup phases that Miami continues to find challenging.
Casemiro leads Manchester United in tackles (2.7 per game) and ranks second in long balls (2.4 per game) this Premier League season, representing the most natural replacement for Busquets and offering a solution to a midfield zone where the Herons are struggling both offensively and defensively. His profile as a disciplined holding midfielder would allow De Paul to return to a more advanced position.
Competition from the LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy holds a significant procedural advantage in the race for Casemiro's signature, as they currently possess the midfielder's "discovery rights" in MLS, providing them with a major strategic edge. The Galaxy, valued at $1 billion by Forbes, sees Casemiro as an ideal addition, following in the footsteps of David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimović, former European stars who left their mark at the club.
Galaxy has already lost Riqui Puig for most of the 2026 season due to another ACL injury, and while Casemiro is not a direct replacement, he brings the experience needed for the club to challenge for silverware once again.
Financial and Personal Factors
Casemiro is reportedly prepared to lower his salary expectations to join Messi at Inter Miami, with the midfielder and his family preferring Miami over any other proposed destination. Reports from Diario AS suggest Casemiro purchased a home in Miami during a recent family vacation, signaling a lean toward the Herons.
Inter Miami is exploring whether it could sign Casemiro under MLS's Designated Player rule, which allows teams to sign up to three players whose wages exceed the league's salary cap. His massive wages at Manchester United led to the decision to let him leave when his contract expires, despite the club still viewing him as a key figure.
What This Means for MLS's Evolution
Casemiro's potential arrival represents MLS's continued ability to attract elite European talent in their prime years rather than just retirement moves. At 34, he remains productive, having arguably his best season at Old Trafford since joining, with nine goals and two assists in 33 games.
The move would create one of MLS's most intriguing tactical partnerships, pairing Messi's creative brilliance with Casemiro's defensive structure. Rather than reuniting with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, Casemiro is looking to join a select group of players who have played with both Ronaldo and Messi, seeking the chance to work with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner after spending years trying to stop him in Clásicos.