Casemiro joins Lionel Messi at Inter Miami on free transfer until 2027

Casemiro has completed a high-profile move to Inter Miami, where he will link up with Lionel Messi after years of facing him in some of Europe’s most intense Clasico battles.

The 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder has signed as a free agent on a contract running until the end of 2027, with an option to extend the deal to June 2029, the Major League Soccer club confirmed.

The transfer ends Casemiro’s four-year spell at Manchester United and reunites him with another global superstar in the United States, following long-running speculation over his future.

Casemiro: ‘Winning and evolving’ drives decision

Speaking to Inter Miami’s official website after the move was announced, Casemiro underlined the ambition behind his decision and praised the club’s effort to secure his signature.

He said: “اكثر ما يحزفني واعتقد ان هذا ينطبق على كل لاعب، هو الفوز والاستمرار في التطور، المشروع الذي يقدمه لي النادي، الى جانب الجهود الكبيرة التي بذلت من اجل التعاقد معي يعنيان الكثير بالنسبة لي”.

He added: “اما ممتن للغاية، ولا استطيع الانتظار لبدء العمل حتى ارد هذه الثقة، ليس فقط خلال 90 دقيقة يوم المباراة، ولكن ايضا في كل يوم هناك داخل التدريبات، كل ما يمكنني قوله هو شكرا لكم وساقدم كل ما لدي من اجل رد المحبة والثقة التي منحني اياها النادي”.

Casemiro’s comments highlight both his competitive appetite and his desire to contribute beyond matchdays, suggesting he sees his move to MLS as a serious sporting step rather than a final, low-intensity chapter of his career.

From Old Trafford to South Beach

Casemiro’s switch to Inter Miami follows the conclusion of a four-year stint at Manchester United, where he was a central figure in midfield.

The Brazil international made 160 appearances for United, scoring 26 goals and adding steel and experience to the Premier League side’s engine room. His arrival from Real Madrid in 2022 was seen as a major coup for the Old Trafford club, given his track record of Champions League success in Spain.

By opting not to renew at United and instead signing a long-term deal in MLS, Casemiro signals confidence in the league’s growth and Inter Miami’s sporting project, which has been transformed since Messi’s arrival.

Turning down Saudi reunion with Ronaldo

Casemiro had been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, where his former Real Madrid and Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo plays.

Reports suggested the midfielder could reunite with Ronaldo in Riyadh, but he is understood to have been firmly drawn to Inter Miami’s project, especially the opportunity to play alongside Argentina legend Messi.

The decision steers him away from a Saudi reunion and towards the rapidly expanding football market in North America, where Inter Miami have aggressively recruited high-profile names to boost both performance and global appeal.

From Clasico rivals to MLS allies

Casemiro’s arrival in Florida sets up one of the most intriguing partnerships in MLS: the former Real Madrid enforcer now lining up alongside Barcelona’s greatest icon.

The pair were on opposite sides of the divide in countless El Clasico meetings between Real Madrid and Barcelona, with Casemiro often tasked with stopping Messi in some of the biggest fixtures in world football.

Now, instead of trying to contain him, Casemiro will be shielding the defence behind Messi at Inter Miami, adding balance and bite to a team built around attacking flair.

Inter Miami will hope that combining Messi’s creativity with Casemiro’s experience and competitiveness can push the club towards domestic dominance and continental ambition in the years ahead.