Casemiro has played with a plethora of world-class talents but made an effort to name reported Liverpool target Rodrygo as a player capable of following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Casemiro knows a thing or two about Rodrygo(Image: Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Casemiro admitted that Rodrygo can become one of the very best players in the world with Liverpool advancing in talks with the Real Madrid star’s camp. The Manchester United midfielder was team-mates with the winger in Spain for three years and was certainly best positioned to analyse the heights he believed his compatriot could reach.
The 24-year-old has established himself as a vital player for the Spanish giants in recent years but suffered a decrease in importance last season under Carlo Ancelotti due to the signing of Kylian Mbappe.
He started just 22 league games, while getting only 92 minutes of action during Madrid’s run in the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this month. His lack of game-time has led to uncertainty over his future, with Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly interested in the forward.
It was earlier this year that Casemiro – who spent nine years with Madrid – showered praise on Mbappe and his former team-mates, including Rodrygo. Speaking to Diario AS, the Brazilian insisted that while the Frenchman has the ability to be the world’s best, it’s a label in football that the 24-year-old is also capable of.
“He [Mbappe] is one of those players that when you play against them you don’t know how to stop him. He’s not [on top of] the podium yet, but he’ll get there,” Casemiro said.
Rodrygo’s future at Real Madrid remains uncertain with Liverpool and Arsenal among his reported suitors (Image: Getty Images)
“He’s the heir to [Messi and Ronaldo], along with Vinicius Jr, who continues to grow and improve in every game, Rodrygo, and Fede Valverde.” It wasn’t the first time he sang the praises of the winger as he said in 2022: “He lit up my eyes.
“He’s a star. God gave him the gift of playing football. Rodrygo knows when to attack, when to defend, when to be more aggressive, when to play more vertically. This kid is one of the most complete players of his generation.”
With speculation suggested Luis Diaz is ready to depart Anfield with Bayern Munich interested in the Colombian, reports indicate that the Reds are ready to pounce on Rodrygo with talks commencing with his entourage, according to Foot Mercato.
They claim discussions have begun between the Premier League champions’ hierarchy and Rodrygo’s camp in order to seek out the possibility of a transfer after six years in Spain. While no contact has been directly made with Madrid, the winger’s preferred destination is said to be England.
Arne Slot remains keen to add to his Liverpool squad this summer(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
The Gunners are also said to be interested in pursuing Rodrygo despite signing one wide player already in Noni Madueke. A third Premier League have reportedly joined the race, with Tottenham Hotspur aiming to lure the Brazilian to north London.
AS reports that Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, is planning to use his “good relationship” with Madrid to capture Rodrygo for a lower price than the £76m he’s reportedly been valued at.
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