Jamie Carragher makes honest Casemiro assessment – two years after brutal comment
TL;DR
Jamie Carragher reflects on his past comment about Casemiro, stating it was 'too harsh and premature.' He made the remark after Casemiro's struggles during Manchester United's recent matches.
Key points
- Jamie Carragher reflected on his past comments about Casemiro.
- Carragher's remark was made during a difficult period for Casemiro.
- Casemiro signed a £350,000-a-week deal with Manchester United in 2022.
- Carragher's criticism followed a poor performance against Crystal Palace.
- He acknowledged his previous comments were too harsh.
Mentioned in this story
Jamie Carragher said about Casemiro in 2024: ‘Leave the football before the football leaves you’ (PA Wire)
Jamie Carragher admits his famous “leave the football before the football leaves you” remark about Casemiro two years ago was “too harsh and premature” ahead of the Man Utd midfielder’s final games for the club.
The Brazilian, who signed on a £350,000-a-week deal from Real Madrid in 2022, endured a difficult period on the pitch in 2024, particularly struggling in United’s 4-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace, triggering Carragher’s comments on Monday Night Football.
“Leave the football before the football leaves you,” Carragher said. “The football’s left him at this top level. He needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.”
Two years on, Casemiro is enjoying his best period in a United shirt – though he will leave at the end of the season – and this week described Carragher’s comment as “disrespectful.” Now, Carragher has responded as the 34-year-old bids farewell to Old Trafford.
“In retrospect, do I regret my comments about such a legendary footballer? Yes and no,” he said in his Telegraph column.
“It must be acknowledged that the implication that Casemiro was ‘finished’ at the highest level was too harsh and premature. My argument was he would be better heading out to the MLS, or accepting offers from Saudi Arabia, because he would never get back to anywhere near his best to achieve the same heights of winning the Champions League or league titles at Old Trafford as he did so brilliantly at Real Madrid. At the time, those observations were not controversial….
“Go back and listen to every respected pundit and reporter covering United during that period, and you will not find a well-informed piece on the club’s struggles without the Casemiro deal being referenced as a symbol of a failed, ill-judged and over-indulgent transfer policy.
“My 2024 remarks were not personal. They were made about one of the best players of his generation with a feeling of reluctance and sadness, and were also based on what United needed to get back to a level where they are challenging for the league title and Champions League – something the club does not need reminding they are still some way from doing.”
Casemiro will leave Man United at the end of the season (AP)
Carragher also insisted that Casemiro’s signature should make United executives think again when considering their next big-name signing.
“This week, Casemiro suggested my remarks were ‘disrespectful’, and that is fair enough,” he added. “Anything he says in response comes with the territory, although I would counter and say no disrespect was intended. Quite the contrary.
“Because of his stellar career, it was natural to compare Casemiro to the extraordinarily high standards he set for himself...
“But when the dust settles, no amount of rewriting history will change this fact: the next time a player of Casemiro’s age and status is available for the same salary and transfer fee, United will learn from experience and say: ‘thanks, but no thanks’”.
Casemiro will say his goodbyes to the Old Trafford crowd after Sunday’s final home game against Nottingham Forest before United’s final day trip to Brighton.
Q&A
What did Jamie Carragher say about Casemiro in 2024?
Jamie Carragher remarked that Casemiro should 'leave the football before the football leaves you,' acknowledging it was a harsh comment.
Why did Carragher criticize Casemiro's performance?
Carragher criticized Casemiro after his poor performance, particularly during Manchester United's 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
What was Casemiro's contract situation with Manchester United?
Casemiro signed a £350,000-a-week deal with Manchester United in 2022 after transferring from Real Madrid.
How did Carragher's view on Casemiro change over time?
Carragher admitted that his previous comments about Casemiro were too harsh and premature, especially as Casemiro approaches the end of his career.
