Casemiro Embraces Leadership Role As Brazil Captain

Casemiro will don the captain’s armband for the 17th time in Brazil’s friendly against South Korea on Friday, with the experienced midfielder embracing his leadership role both on and off the pitch under manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Back in the squad since the Italian’s arrival after a long period away, Casemiro has been a key figure for Brazil since his international debut in 2011 and will resume his captaincy after a two-year hiatus. His last outing as skipper came in October 2023 against Uruguay, but Ancelotti, who was his coach for several years at Real Madrid, has decided to reinstate him as the leader of Brazil’s young squad preparing for the 2026 World Cup.

“I am one of those players who thinks that there are several leaders, several ways of leading. Each one leads in their own way. I like to give more examples of how to do things – how to arrive, how to be, where to be, how to work,” Casemiro told a press conference yesterday.

The 33-year-old, who moved to English side Manchester United in 2022, acknowledged that his prior relationship with Ancelotti helped establish the trust that he could lead the team.

“Without a doubt, my relationship with the coach, whom I have known for over 10 years, creates a greater affinity. But I like to show it – being the first, being at the gym, setting an example for the younger players,” he added.

Brazil will follow Friday’s match in Seoul with another friendly against Japan on Tuesday at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium, as Ancelotti continues to refine his squad ahead of next year’s tournament.