Casemiro: I wanted Neymar at Real Madrid, we speak almost every day
The Madrid midfielder pushed for his international teammate to join him at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro says he wanted former Barcelona forward Neymar to join the club last summer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar told PSG of his desire to leave after two seasons in the French capital. Barça were the favourites to sign him and held several meeting with PSG but were unable to do a deal for the player that left them for 222 million euros in 2017.
However, Madrid were also interested and midfielder Casemiro has revealed that he's regularly in touch with his Brazil teammate.
"I wanted Neymar to come to Madrid. I speak with him almost every day," Casemiro said in an interview with El Transistor on Onda Cero.
On Neymar's PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, another Madrid target, he added: "They are two great players, but they are very different."
Asked to choose between winning the league or the Champions League this season, Casemiro said: "I prefer the Champions League because it's a special competition. La Liga rewards consistency throughout the year... it's every week. But when the Champions League hymn rings around the Bernabeu... Madrid is different."
Respect for Man City
To progress in the Champions League, Madrid will have to beat Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. The first leg takes place in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.
"Madrid are always obliged to win," Casemiro said. "We respected City a lot, and also Barcelona, who we have after, but we have to be ready. Zidane wants us all to be involved and we all feel important."
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