Casemiro has granted an interview to The Guardian that the British newspaper publishes today. In the conversation, the Brazilian Real Madrid midfielder comments on his vision of football and the demarcation he occupies and talks about what his relationship with Zinedine Zidane, his coach at Real Madrid, is like.
Zidane.- “Even today I get a little nervous talking to him. I tell him he doesn't know what it means to us, to me. You beat us in '98 (refer to the World Cup final that France beat Brazil 3-0 with two Zizou's goals), but that does not change anything. Knowing him now, I can say he deserves it. It is incredible: humility, as football expresses. He treats us with much affection (…) Zizou is very insistent. Always, always , says: 'Case, you can do more: come from the second line, supply the midfielders, get the ball clean.' This year perhaps I have had more prominence with the ball, but I have my work in mind: remove the ball and give it to peers. But Zizou is heavy: he always talks to me and wants more. He says: 'I'm not asking you to do something you can't; I'm asking you for something you can do.' He trusts me a lot. “
In the mind, the City.— “Since the end of the League. It will be a very, very difficult game, but we are going with hope. This shirt forces you to win every game, even the friendlies.”
“The City will be a very difficult game, but we are going with hope”
Casemiro, Real Madrid midfielder.
Dedication.- “I love learning. I look back, I see mistakes, I evaluate. People say I think like a coach. I always try to read the game, the other team's mind, their coach, what they are trying to do. Often the little details, sometimes a meter, they change everything. I have Wyscout (a professional platform for scouting very popular in the soccer world) and I see everything from China to anywhere. It irritates my wife. There is time for everything, but it is my job. And I love it. My life is football. I have to constantly think about football. “
His midfielder position. “Makelele is one of those who invented my position. He, Mauro Silva, Dunga, Gilberto Silva … I see videos of them, of how they developed the position. Zidane is a specialist: he knows the importance of each player. But Makelele would not have been so important without Zidane. Or me without Kroos, Modric, Valverde or Isco “.
Way of playing.— “I like to think that it is the head that rules, not the legs. You have to be strong, aggressive: I like duels, contact. But you play with your head. I have always thought that the key is to think: to be better positioned, see the movement before it happens. “
“I still get a little nervous talking to Zidane”
Casemiro
Values.— “There are moments, it is my personality. I am very, very, very calm. Although my style of play is aggressive. They are my mother's values: be polite, treat everyone equally. People may think I am not saying a lot, but I speak to young players. Often it is better to speak alone, and look into each other's eyes, than in front of a group. They understand it better and that is what matters. “
Solidarity side.— “People who are suffering, sick, hungry, without clothes, are not seen. The way is to increase awareness. All I am is for my mother and for football. I was lucky to find a way thanks to football: the Friends were not that lucky. Knowing how difficult it was is why I do everything from my heart, at 200%. “