The Brazilian paid tribute to the Inter Miami captain, who returned to the pitch just four days after his father's death, although it wasn't enough to save the club from elimination in the Leagues Cup.
Casemiro, an Inter Miami player, publicly praised his teammate Lionel Messi for the dedication he showed by returning to the pitch just four days after his father's death. The Inter Miami captain came on in the second half of the match against Club León in the Leagues Cup, in the early hours of August 13, 2026, despite not having trained with the team since his father's passing.
Messi flew to Argentina with his family on Saturday, August 8, 2026, immediately after his father's death. Despite the difficult period, he decided to make himself available to the team against Club León. His return, however, failed to prevent a defeat. Inter Miami lost 3-2 and were eliminated from the Leagues Cup in the group stage of the competition.
Casemiro described Messi's dedication to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo as something he had never seen before. "He's a role model. I'm sure he's going through a very tough time, but his commitment, not just to the players but also to the club, was astonishing. I've never seen anything like it in my life. All we can do is thank him for being here," the Brazilian said.
For Casemiro, it's precisely this dedication that places Messi among "the best players in history, if not the best." The Argentine played the entire second half despite having lost his father just a few days earlier.
Despite Messi's return and personal sacrifice, the result left a bitter taste. Casemiro didn't hide his disappointment after the match. "It's tough, especially when you lose, but we know we have to keep improving. It was a tournament I really wanted to win, and the result has left us very disappointed," he added.
Inter Miami thus ends their Leagues Cup campaign in the group stage, and Messi's return to the pitch, though emotionally powerful, wasn't enough to advance.
