Cristiano Ronaldo has personally reached out to his former Real Madrid and Manchester United teammate Casemiro in an attempt to persuade the Brazilian to join him at Al Nassr this summer, ESPN reported, adding a compelling new dimension to one of football’s most widely watched free agency situations.
Casemiro confirmed at the start of January that this season would be his last at Old Trafford, and United have accepted that the mutual agreement to part ways will stand despite the 34-year-old’s resurgent form under Michael Carrick — which included a goal in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa in March and chants of “one more year” from the home support.
The Ronaldo factor changes the texture of the Al Nassr pursuit in a way that purely financial bids cannot. Both players spent years together at Real Madrid, and Ronaldo’s ability to paint Saudi Arabia as a serious footballing destination — rather than simply a financial retirement vehicle — has proven genuinely persuasive for players of this generation.
Casemiro has not committed to any destination publicly, and Inter Miami and LA Galaxy have both been in contact through intermediaries, with the Miami project particularly attractive given the possibility of linking up with Lionel Messi.
United’s planning has moved on regardless. Sandro Tonali of Newcastle and Elliot Anderson of Forest remain the primary midfield targets for the summer, though Tonali’s stated preference for a return to Italy rather than another Premier League move represents a real obstacle.
The £15.9 million provision United disclosed to the New York Stock Exchange as maximum potential settlement for Casemiro and his coaching staff adds context to the club’s eagerness for a clean exit — every week the situation drags on with Casemiro absent or settled elsewhere reduces that liability.
Michael Carrick declined to comment directly on whether Casemiro’s departure can be reversed, but his language in recent press conferences has been that of a manager who accepts the decision while appreciating the contribution made.
The irony is that Casemiro has been one of Carrick’s more important players during the revival — providing exactly the positional discipline and experience in midfield that earlier Amorim-era selections had lacked. Replacing that profile in one transfer window is a genuine challenge.
