Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes (Picture: Getty)
Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has hailed Manchester United midfielder Casemiro as ‘a complete player’ and one of his biggest ‘idols’.
Casemiro won five Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles during his brilliant decade-long spell at Real Madrid.
His reputation has taken a hit since he joined Manchester United for £70m in 2022, with the 33-year-old largely struggling during his first two seasons at Old Trafford.
Casemiro looked so unconvincing Liverpool legend and ex-England defender Jamie Carragher said the ‘football had left him’ and insisted United should move him on.
However, Casemiro has managed to revive his Red Devils career and been one of Ruben Amorim’s most consistent players so far this season.
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Casemiro was expected to leave Manchester United at the end of his contract next summer but reports say his upturn in form could earn him an extension, if he agrees to take a pay-cut.
Newcastle’s Guimaraes, rated as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, believes Casemiro has been ‘a complete player’ during his trophy-laden career and one of his biggest ‘inspirations’.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro in action for Brazil (Picture: Getty)
Casemiro continues to add to his tally of Brazil caps well into his 30s and hopes to be part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad – along with Guimaraes – for next summer’s World Cup.
Asked about Casemiro’s attributes after Brazil’s 1-1 friendly draw with Tunisia on Tuesday night, Guimaraes said: ‘Look at his experience, his titles… he’s a complete player.
‘His career speaks for itself. In one of my first interviews with the national team, in 2020, when I arrived they asked if I was inspired by anyone in midfield, and I said his name, Casemiro.
‘He’s also an idol there for everything he’s done, especially at Real Madrid, the five Champions League titles.
Casemiro has a strong relationship with Carlo Ancelotti (Picture: Getty)
‘A guy that everyone who plays in Brazilian midfield talks about, Casemiro is the guy we have to follow.
‘So I think it’s a bit of everything, he’s a leader, certainly playing there as a number 8 is a position where I feel more comfortable, it’s a position I also play at Newcastle.
‘I think it’s a perfect match and things are starting to go well.’
Brazil boss Ancelotti has made no secret of his admiration for Casemiro, who he also managed while in charge of Real Madrid.
After his first win as Brazil manager, Ancelotti said Casemiro’s ‘quality and leadership’ was ‘very strong’.
In September, meanwhile, Ancelotti insisted Casemiro was ‘impossible’ to replace due to his unique set of characteristics.
‘Looking for a midfielder with Casemiro’s characteristics is impossible,’ the former Real Madrid boss said. ‘There’s no other Brazilian player who has the same characteristics as Casemiro.’
Casemiro will now return to Manchester United following the conclusion of the November international break. The Red Devils face Everton on Monday night.
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