Former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was left in awe of Lionel Messi after the Inter Miami star's surprise comeback. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona legend returned to competitive action days after the tragic passing of his father.
Messi's Emotional Return
The 39-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in Miami's 3-2 defeat to Mexican side Leon in the Leagues Cup, his first outing since the passing of his father Jorge on Saturday at the age of 68. The comeback from the Argentina star resonated with Casemiro, who heaped praise on the attacker.
He said: "He's an example. I'm sure he's going through a very difficult time but his commitment, not only to the players but also the club was incredible. I've never seen anything like it in my life. All I can do is thank him for being here. That's why he's so great and one of the best in history, if not the best. We have to take our hats off to him and say thank you, continue supporting him and encouraging him."
Teammates at Last
The pair now finally share the same dressing room following their mammoth clashes during Casemiro's time at Real Madrid. The 34-year-old enjoyed a phenomenal final season at Old Trafford, turning in his most prolific goalscoring season for United, but found himself as a free agent at the end of the campaign. Inter Miami won the race to the veteran midfielder's signature, beating Major League Soccer (MLS) rivals LA Galaxy.
Messi hinted at the prospect of retirement following the death of his father. He wrote on Instagram: "I don't know what I'm going to do without you, I don't know how to go on. I just played football, and now I have serious doubts that I'll be able to keep doing it for much longer. You were by my side from the beginning; the end was so close. Why couldn't you hold on that little bit longer and we could have finished together?"
Father's Influence
"I know your happiness came from seeing your family well, your wife, your children, and, above all, without the others finding out, seeing me play... It was always like that from the time I was little. You took me to every training session as soon as you got home from work. My mom took me to many of them because you were working.
"Obviously, you never missed a match. How you suffered watching me and how you enjoyed it, even though you never gave me much praise. You were a father, a friend, and an agent. You were always the person you needed to be in every moment, and you were never wrong about anything. Beyond some reproaches or arguments, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out the way you said.
"I'm going to miss you so much, but you'll always be present, especially in my children's upbringing, because I teach and raise them the way you did me. Rest in peace and watch over us from above like you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad."
Match Details
Inter Miami bowed out of the Leagues Cup after their defeat to the Liga MX side. Leon equalised shortly after Messi's introduction after Daniel Pinter's opener. Parity was short-lived as Yannick Bright restored their lead three minutes later. But the visitors fought back through Juan Dominuez while Daniel Arcila doubled his tally for the evening, sending them three clear at the top with their unbeaten record.
Casemiro played the entirety of the match but suffered successive defeats for the first time since moving to North America.
