The 32-year-old Manchester United midfielder played a crucial role during a golden era at Real Madrid, where the team secured five Champions League titles in eight years. ..Continue Reading
During his time there, he shared the pitch with several football legends, including Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, and Luka Modric.
However, the current generation of talent at Los Blancos could prove just as iconic, especially if Casemiro’s prediction holds true.
In an interview with Diario AS, the Brazilian predicted that Kylian Mbappe would rise to be the world’s best at the Bernabeu, and suggested that three of his club-mates could follow in his footsteps.
“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.
“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 took Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid from PSG last summer, a few weeks to adjust to the unfamiliar No. 9 role. However, the 26-year-old Frenchman has since silenced his critics, scoring 28 goals (and counting) in all competitions.
On Wednesday, he became the fourth Real Madrid player to score a hat-trick in a Champions League knockout match, joining the likes of Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Benzema, following his treble against Manchester City.
Vinicius, on the other hand, has been considered one of Europe’s top forwards for several years and came close to winning the Ballon d’Or in October.
The 24-year-old has netted over 20 goals in each of the past four seasons and needs just three more to achieve the same this season.
Rodrygo, 24, and Valverde, 26, may not have the star power of Mbappe, Vinicius, or Jude Bellingham, but their significance at the Bernabeu is undeniable.
Both players have been first-team regulars for over half a decade, and many, including Casemiro, believe they are the ones who truly make Real Madrid tick.
“Valverde is a player who leads the team and who can mark an era,” Casemiro said. “He gives everything on the pitch. Of the new midfielders, he’s the best.
“In my time the 4-3-3 was in charge and I provided the balance. But now football is changing and there is more deployment all over the pitch. Valverde is the perfect No. 8. A spectacular box to box [midfielder], tremendous.”
Back in 2022, Casemiro waxed lyrical about Rodrygo, who has scored 49 goals for Real over the past two-and-a-half years. “He lit up my eyes. He’s a star,” the Brazil international beamed. “God gave him the gift of playing football.
“He 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.”
