Manchester United star Casemiro is considered a “good weapon” for Real Madrid against Messi, but is still ranked second.
Casemiro is a defensive midfielder for Los Blancos that has won the Champions League four times in the past decade. During this period, although Real Madrid performed well in European competitions, they were still threatened by Barcelona in La Liga.
Real Madrid stalwart Federico Valverde has looked back on his side’s struggles against Barcelona during Spanish football’s glory days. He singled out Casemiro as often an effective weapon against Barcelona’s Messi.
Valverde said Casemiro played a key role in countering Messi, although it was not always a successful strategy. He was impressed with Casemiro’s contribution.
In Spain, Casemiro’s side have recorded nine wins, four draws and six losses against Barcelona. However, Real Madrid struggled to equal their European dominance in La Liga during Casemiro’s tenure.
Valverde admits he has never figured out how to stop Messi and his admiration for him is effusive. He named Messi as the “three big stars” of this generation, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
While it’s one thing to formulate a plan to stop Messi, it’s another to actually execute it. Valverde said he could never stop Messi, but also emphasized his respect for Messi.
Casemiro spent nine years in Real Madrid’s midfield, often tasked with stopping Messi at Barcelona. Messi is considered one of the greatest players of all time in football, alongside legends such as Pele, Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo.
While Messi has expressed doubts about whether he is the best player of all time, he admits it would be wonderful to be one of them.
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