Casemiro hits back at Carragher over ‘disrespectful’ comments

The Man United midfielder has responded.

Leaving the club this summer, the Brazilian was told to 'leave' in 2024 by the pundit, who addressed the criticism on Sky Sports.

Since then though, the player has played an instrumental part in Man United's resurgence as the Red Devils comfortably qualified for the Champions League after beating rivals Liverpool 3-2.

Scoring nine goals in 33 appearances, Casemiro has once more become a fan's favourite at Old Trafford, with supporters gutted of his impending departure.

"There’s a saying I always remember as a footballer, 'Leave the football before the football leaves you,'” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move."

Two years after the comments, Casemiro's return has been remarkable. Though when reminded of the comments in an interview with Rio Ferdinand, he got straight to the point:

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“So... It's your opinion. I respect your opinion. I don't like it because it's disrespectful. It's disrespectful to me,” Casemiro said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.

“What I win in football. But football changes. Life changes. Life changes. So, look now. It's about this. For me, the best thing in this moment we speak in Spain is I live in the big dark. I live in a good feeling.

“Everyone misses Casemiro. You know? About this, I decided to leave because I live in good. Because it's the same in Madrid. Everyone misses me there. Everyone misses this team. Now, it's the same. So, life changes.

“It's the life. Everyone forgets very quick. Everyone forgets very quick. But, again, the mentality.”

A coup when joining United, it's easy to forget the serial success Casemiro has achieved. At Real Madrid, he spent eight-and-a-half-years, winning the lot. Scooping up three La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies, it's clear he is one of the greats.

Though Casemiro fired back at Carragher, he has since admitted his mistake on air: "It is now fair to say the football has not left him," speaking to Sky Sports.

"Casemiro is well within his rights to, if he wants to come back at me and say, 'Leave the punditry before the punditry's left you!' He could definitely get one of those back in. Credit to him, he looks a completely different player.”