Casemiro reaches verbal agreement to join Inter Miami, will play alongside Lionel Messi
The Brazilian midfielder will sign a three-year deal with the MLS club after his Manchester United contract expired, overcoming a discovery-rights block by LA Galaxy.
Verbal agreement sealed
Casemiro has reached a total verbal agreement with Inter Miami and only the signing of documents remains before the move is official, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The 34-year-old Brazilian international left Manchester United at the end of his contract and had been free to choose his next club. His desire to play alongside Lionel Messi was considered key in his decision to head to Florida.
He wants to play with Messi.
Discovery rights hurdle cleared
The deal was briefly blocked by LA Galaxy, who held discovery rights on Casemiro. Under MLS rules, a club with discovery rights is granted priority and exclusivity to negotiate with a player who has not yet joined the league. The obstacle has since been resolved, clearing the way for Inter Miami to finalise the signing.
A decorated European career ends
Casemiro leaves European football 13 years after arriving in the 2012–13 winter window. He won five Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, one Copa del Rey, three UEFA Super Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, one FA Cup, one League Cup and three Club World Cups across spells with Real Madrid, Porto and Manchester United. In his final United season he recorded a career-best nine goals in 35 appearances.
- Casemiro announces he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.
- Verbal agreement reached with Inter Miami, reported by Fabrizio Romano.
- Official signing and announcement expected imminently after the World Cup.
World Cup duty before announcement
The official announcement is expected after the 2026 World Cup, where Casemiro is currently representing Brazil. He played the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win over Haiti on Friday night. At Inter Miami he will join not only Messi but also former Barcelona striker Luis Suárez and his old Real Madrid colleague Sergio Reguilón.
