Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has secured a significant financial settlement from his boyhood club, Sao Paulo, bringing an end to a labour dispute that has lingered for over a decade.
Decade-Long Dispute Finally Resolved
According to reports from Brazilian outlet UOL, a formal agreement was reached this week, with the regional labour court approving the settlement. The case, which had been active since 2014, centred on unpaid employment-related payments from the player's time in Sao Paulo's academy.
The 33-year-old Brazilian international, who left Sao Paulo for Real Madrid in 2013, will now receive a total of £247,000. This figure is slightly less than the original claim of around £290,000, which encompassed various contractual extras including image-rights charges, match-related earnings, bonuses, and holiday entitlements.
Payment Terms and Potential Windfall
The settlement stipulates that Casemiro will be paid the sum on a monthly basis over the coming year. However, the agreement includes a clause that could see the United star's payout increase substantially. If Sao Paulo fail to adhere to the payment schedule, the total amount owed could rise to as much as £363,000.
This resolution provides Casemiro with a notable financial boost as the year concludes, supplementing his substantial weekly wage at Old Trafford.
Focus Shifts Back to United's Campaign
Off-field matters settled, attention returns to Casemiro's role at Manchester United. The experienced midfielder has been a key figure under manager Ruben Amorim, delivering strong performances in a schedule that has recently allowed for one game per week.
His stamina may be tested, however, as United face a congested run of fixtures against West Ham United, Wolves, and Bournemouth in the next 12 days. Casemiro is also walking a disciplinary tightrope, sitting on four yellow cards in the Premier League and risking suspension.
The team's form has been solid, with just one defeat in their last seven league matches, leaving them eighth. A victory against West Ham could propel them into the coveted top four, a prospect Amorim addressed cautiously.
"I understand the question and if the table is there, if you have the opportunity... you need to go for it," said Amorim. "But then you look at the table and everyone is like two points behind. Everything can change in one week. Let's focus... on the next game."
With the January transfer window approaching, Casemiro will be free to negotiate with clubs outside England from next month as he enters the final six months of his United contract.
