Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has hit back at Jamie Carragher after the Liverpool icon urged him to quit at the top level — a verdict Carragher has since admitted was wrong
12:29, 13 May 2026Updated 12:29, 13 May 2026
Casemiro of Manchester United
Manchester United star Casemiro has spoken about Jamie Carragher(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has branded Jamie Carragher's notable assessment "disrespectful" after the pundit suggested he should depart the club in 2024.
The experienced midfielder has subsequently silenced his critics following his resurgence at Old Trafford. The Brazil captain has been instrumental in Michael Carrick's squad securing a Champions League berth this season. Casemiro has netted nine goals in 33 league outings from defensive midfield, concluding his four-year tenure on a positive note.
Nevertheless, the 34-year-old endured challenging periods of form at United previously. Following a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2024, Liverpool legend Carragher proclaimed that Casemiro's time as an elite soccer player had come to an end.
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"There's a saying I always remember as a footballer, 'Leave the football before the football leaves you,'" Carragher said on Sky Sports. "The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move."
Two years on, the five-time Champions League victor has arguably produced his finest campaign in English soccer.
Casemiro has hit back at Carragher after former United defender Rio Ferdinand recalled his "leave the football before the football leaves you" remark, with Ferdinand also engaging in debates with his ex-England teammate.
Carragher has addressed his previous comments about Casemiro
Carragher has addressed his previous comments about Casemiro(Image: Getty Images)
"So... It's your opinion. I respect your opinion. I don't like it because it's disrespectful. It's disrespectful to me," Casemiro said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
"What I win in football. But football changes. Life changes. Life changes. So, look now. It's about this. For me, the best thing in this moment we speak in Spain is I live in the big dark. I live in a good feeling.
"Everyone misses Casemiro. You know? About this, I decided to leave because I live in good. Because it's the same in Madrid. Everyone misses me there. Everyone misses this team. Now, it's the same. So, life changes.
"It's the life. Everyone forgets very quick. Everyone forgets very quick. But, again, the mentality."
Prior to his move to United, Casemiro spent eight and a half years at Real Madrid, amassing an impressive collection of silverware, including three La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies.
Earlier this season, the Brazilian announced his summer departure from United, despite pressure to prolong his stay at Old Trafford.
While Casemiro has responded to Carragher's criticism, the pundit has already admitted he got it wrong. Back in February, the 48-year-old reconsidered his harsh verdict on the United midfielder after a string of strong performances under new boss Carrick.
"It is now fair to say the football has not left him," Carragher told Sky Sports. "Casemiro is well within his rights to, if he wants to come back at me and say, 'Leave the punditry before the punditry's left you!' He could definitely get one of those back in.
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"Credit to him, he looks a completely different player."