Inter Miami finalized an agreement with Casemiro on 20/6. The Brazilian midfielder is expected to sign his contract in the coming weeks, once all parties agree on the terms and complete the final procedures before an official announcement.

Casemiro expressed a desire to play alongside Messi and was swayed by Inter Miami's ambitions. The American club began pursuing this transfer in March, bringing it to a close after several months of negotiations. He is now set to join an exclusive group of fewer than 20 players who have played with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Casemiro passes the ball during Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco in Group C of the 2026 World Cup in East Rutherford, New Jersey on 13/6. Photo: AP

Casemiro departed Manchester United upon the expiration of his contract this summer. He concluded four seasons at Old Trafford, opting to seek a new challenge in MLS. Inter Miami currently features a lineup of prominent players who previously competed in Europe, including Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Luis Suarez.

Prior to the agreement, Inter Miami had already emerged as Casemiro's preferred destination. In May, the Brazilian midfielder expressed his desire to move to Miami, and negotiations between the two clubs progressed positively. However, the transfer initially faced a hurdle as LA Galaxy held priority negotiation rights for Casemiro through MLS's "discovery rights" mechanism.

This regulation grants an MLS club the ability to register priority access and negotiation rights for a player currently competing outside the league. The Galaxy engaged in multiple discussions with Casemiro and his representatives, presenting several contract offers in an effort to persuade the midfielder to join Los Angeles.

Casemiro, however, continued to prioritize Inter Miami. Historically, similar situations have been resolved by one team compensating the other to secure negotiation rights. For example, when Marco Reus joined the Galaxy in 2024, the club paid 400,000 USD to Charlotte FC to address a comparable issue.

A further challenge involved Inter Miami's salary cap structure. The Florida-based team currently has no designated player (DP) slots available, which permit salaries to exceed the league's cap. Casemiro is expected to sign an initial contract with a salary below 2 million USD. He would then be elevated to DP status if Inter Miami manages to create an open slot within their squad.

The club previously utilized this model for Jordi Alba in 2023. The Spanish defender initially signed under a special financial assistance category before transitioning to a designated player in subsequent seasons.

Casemiro's move to MLS follows a resurgent season with Manchester United. The 34-year-old midfielder scored 9 goals and started 33 matches, playing a significant role in helping the team secure a Champions League berth.

Before his move to England in 2022, Casemiro enjoyed the most successful period of his career with Real Madrid. There, he secured five Champions League titles in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022, in addition to three La Liga titles. For the national team, the defensive midfielder has made 88 appearances for Brazil and maintains a crucial role under coach Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup.

Casemiro's arrival is expected to significantly bolster Inter Miami's midfield. The reigning MLS Cup champions have experienced a tumultuous season, including an early exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup and a change in head coach. Following 15 MLS matches this season, Inter Miami sits second in the Eastern Conference with 31 points.

Hoang An compiled