Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has conceded that he was “surprised and saddened” by Casemiro’s decision to leave the Spanish club and join Manchester United this summer.
The Brazilian star ended a trophy-laden nine years in Spain – where he won five Champions League crowns at the base of a midfield alongside Kroos and Modric. The trio formed a formidable partnership that became kings of Europe on several occasions.
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Casemiro joined United in a £70m deal this summer which led Kroos to launch a bizarre rant against players who decided to move to the Premier League. The German midfielder hinted that players only moved to England based on monetary incentives.
Kroos said in the comments, that could have been construed as a subtle dig at Casemiro – and that of Raphael Varane the previous year: “The Premier League has not won an international title this year.
“Television money has been significantly higher in England for years and yet it hasn’t resulted in English teams winning everything. Thank God not all players look only at salary but also at winning.”
Kroos has now gone on to clarify his thoughts and feelings on Casemiro’s decision to leave Real Madrid over the summer.
It was a decision that came the same summer that Tchouameni – who operates in a similar deep midfield position to the Brazilian – arrived in the Spain in a big-money move from Monaco.
Kroos told the Universo Valdano on Spanish TV: “I was surprised by Casemiro’s departure. It is true that the rumours started two days before, but here there are always many rumours and many times nothing happens. But when he told me I was sad, because I began to remember all the years with him and the things we win together.”
Tchouameni’s signing had appeared to weaken Casemiro’s status in the Real Madrid dressing room while there were no shortage of options for them in midfield, with Camavinga having arrived the previous summer.
Casemiro’s career began at Sao Paulo before he went on to win 18 trophies altogether at Madrid, including three La Liga titles and five Champions League crowns, alongside spending the 2014-15 season on loan at FC Porto – before returning to Madrid to replace Xabi Alonso.
