Brazil midfielder Fernandinho says his international colleague Casemiro has transformed Real Madrid.
Madrid man Casemiro is sitting out of the Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour double-header against Argentina and Australia this month, providing Fernandinho another chance to fill his boots in the Selecao’s midfield.
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And the Manchester City man says first-choice Casemiro, who has played a major role Madrid’s back-to-back UEFA Champions League success, is among the world’s best in his position.
“Casemiro has totally transformed Real Madrid. In the last two or three years, he’s been playing regularly and has given great stability to them and to Brazil as well.” Fernandinho told a press conference at the Lakeside Stadium.
“I am very happy for him, that he was able to leave Brazil to show his true value. He is one of the great players in the position in world football.”
Brazil meet Argentina on Friday at what is set to be a record crowd of over 95,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the back of eight consecutive victories in World Cup qualifying.
The five-time world champions were the first team to book their place in Russia next year and Fernandinho says the World Cup can’t come soon enough.
“The three years since the World Cup have been a time to grow and mature,” he said.
“We are in good form and we want to play in Russia in the shape we find ourselves today, with the team feeling good, winning matches, the fans right behind us.
“But we have a year still to go and more qualifiers to play, plus friendlies. Without trying to get ahead of ourselves, I think we are looking good.”
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