Casemiro’s move to Inter Miami has sparked significant controversy, with the MLS club facing a formal league investigation into how the transfer was handled.
LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz spoke publicly about the situation, revealing that Casemiro had initially expressed a desire to join the Galaxy before ultimately choosing Miami.
Kuntz stated plainly that before the midfielder committed to Inter Miami, “Casemiro only wanted to play for the Galaxy,” adding a pointed edge to the ongoing dispute between the two clubs.
The Galaxy held Casemiro’s Discovery Rights in MLS, and the club filed a grievance alleging that Inter Miami initiated unauthorized contract talks with the Brazilian midfielder despite that holding.
ESPN confirmed the Galaxy’s grievance was filed on the basis that Miami had engaged in tampering, conducting talks with the player without the proper authorisation required under league rules.
MLS responded by opening a formal investigation into Inter Miami’s handling of the Casemiro signing, casting a shadow over what would otherwise have been a landmark acquisition for the Florida club.
Casemiro addressed the situation directly, saying: “I’d like to clarify the situation — especially regarding the talk about me — by saying that I spoke with the LA Galaxy a while back, but I made it very clear to them that I wanted to play for Inter Miami.”
The Brazilian star went on to explain his personal connection to the city, adding: “It’s a city I love, and a place my family and children know well since we’re always here whenever we have days off.”
Casemiro was unambiguous about his intentions from the outset, stating: “From the moment I spoke with the Galaxy, I made it absolutely clear that the only team I wanted to play for in MLS was Inter Miami.”
Speaking at his unveiling, Casemiro reflected on the broader significance of the move, saying: “It was a very important decision, especially because it was the first time in my career that I had the freedom to choose where I wanted to be.”
The 33-year-old joined Inter Miami on July 22 as a free agent following his departure from Manchester United, ending a spell in England after his storied time at Real Madrid.
Casemiro’s career includes five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid, as well as prominent stints competing at the highest levels of both the Premier League and LaLiga.
His arrival in Miami places him alongside high-profile teammates, though the circumstances surrounding the deal continue to be scrutinised as the MLS investigation moves forward.
