Casemiro has explained why he is a completely different player to Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.
The duo regularly play together for Brazil, with Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro both in the current Brazil squad for their upcoming friendlies against Tunisia and Senegal.
They will both be at the 2026 World Cup too, with Casemiro currently Brazil’s captain. As for Bruno, he has remained a regular in the side following Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as manager.
However, there will soon come a time when Casemiro is not playing for Brazil. He turns 34 in February, with his best days at international level certainly behind him.
The Manchester United midfielder plays an important role for Brazil, but is it one that the Newcastle United skipper could do when Casemiro steps aside? Seemingly not.
Bruno Guimaraes does a heart gesture during Newcastle United's game against Brentford.
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Casemiro explains why Bruno Guimaraes cannot do his job in Brazil’s midfield
During an interview with Globo, Casemiro was asked about Fabinho being recalled to the Brazil squad after he said the former Liverpool midfielder had similar skills to him.
The 33-year-old doubled down on his praise for Fabinho, admitting that a player like Bruno Guimaraes could not do the role they do in centre-midfield.
“I think Fabinho is a guy who has very similar characteristics to mine, despite being a little taller than me,” he said.
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“They asked who has a similar profile (to mine), and I think it’s Fabinho. I don’t see another guy who has that profile.
“For example, Bruno Guimaraes will need another guy to play alongside him. Joelinton, Andre, Joao Gomes, too. Not that you can’t play like that and win. But a guy you put in front of the defense, who prioritizes the team’s balance, getting between the full-backs, providing balance, covering the gaps, stopping the counterattack, I think that ideal guy today is Fabinho.”
CONVOCADOS! 📋
O mister Ancelotti divulgou a lista dos jogadores convocados para os amistosos contra Senegal e Tunísia nos dias 15 e 18/11.
ISSO É BRASIL! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/CSqf7BGTzn
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) November 3, 2025
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Sandro Tonali does that job for Newcastle United, not Bruno Guimaraes
Casemiro’s comments are not meant to diminish Bruno as a player. While Casemiro is in the team to protect the defence and prevent opportunities, Bruno’s role extends beyond that.
He is tasked with breaking the lines and developing attacks, as well as getting into the box himself. That is something he is doing domestically, with Newcastle United asking Bruno to get in the box more.
All the while, Sandro Tonali does the job that Casemiro has spoken about. The Magpies’ midfield maestro is Eddie Howe’s firefighter, stopping counterattacks and giving his team balance.
As recently as 12 months ago, that was Bruno’s job at Newcastle United. However, it was clear he could offer much more further up the pitch. As for Tonali, his qualities were better suited to playing as a number six.