Casemiro believes Jamie Carragher’s “quit from football” jibe two years ago was probably due to “frustration” after his beloved Liverpool lost twice to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. The veteran midfielder will leave Manchester United this summer despite undergoing a resurgence under Michael Carrick. He has been instrumental in their recovery, which will see them qualify for the Champions League after months of disappointment.
Casemiro has played a pivotal role, turning back the clock and similar to the player who had such an impact at Real. During his time at the Bernabéu, he won the Champions League five times, beating Liverpool in the finals in 2018 and 2022, but Carragher suspects he was upset by his infamous outburst.
Back in 2024, when United were suffering dire results, Carragher insisted they needed to leave the Premier League and Casemiro was targeted.
“This has to stop because we are looking at one of the greatest players of our time. I will always remember the words, ‘Leave football before football leaves you.’ Football has left him.”
“At this top level, he needs to finish his job at this level and move on. At that level of player, he shouldn’t put up with this.
“He is too good a player to put in a performance that will be laughed at by Crystal Palace. He must be finished.”
When questioned about his comments, Casemiro told TNT Sport Brasil: “Everyone says what they want on TV. I’m not the one to get involved in that.”
“But that’s a bit normal, because I won two Champions League titles against his team. Maybe after you win two titles against his club there’s still some bitterness left in there.”
Carragher has since reversed his stance on those comments and urged the United midfielder to extend an olive branch.
“I respect his opinion. I don’t hold any grudges. What’s important is that he realized he was wrong and changed his opinion. That’s the most important thing.”
Casemiro has scored some decisive goals and is enjoying his best performance in front of goal to date, but Carragher admits the Brazilian will have to take it on the chin if he wants to fight back.
He said: “If you look at his performance not only at home against Fulham but also in the Premier League this season, you think about what he did last week away against Arsenal and at home against Manchester City.
“If Casemiro wants to hit back at me, he has every right to say, ‘Leave the pundits before the pundits leave!'” He could definitely win one of them back. He looks like a completely different player because of him. ”
