Inter Miami is at it again. The South Florida club has made a habit of landing some of the biggest names in world soccer, and now they appear to have their sights set on Manchester United midfielder Casemiro — with none other than Lionel Messi helping to make the pitch.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated, Messi is actively involved in Inter Miami's efforts to recruit the Brazilian midfield anchor, and perhaps most importantly, Casemiro is reportedly willing to listen. That two-word phrase — "he is willing" — is doing a lot of heavy lifting right now in MLS circles, and for good reason.
Casemiro is no ordinary transfer target. The 32-year-old defensive midfielder is a five-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid and a central figure in Brazil's national team setup. His experience, physicality, and ability to shield a back line would add a dimension to Inter Miami's roster that has sometimes been missing in high-pressure matches. He is exactly the kind of player who makes everyone around him better — which is saying something on a team that already features Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets.
The fact that Messi is personally helping recruit Casemiro speaks volumes. It mirrors how the club has operated since the Argentine legend arrived in 2023 — using star power to attract more star power. Messi's influence both on and off the pitch has transformed Inter Miami from a struggling MLS side into a global brand, and his willingness to make personal appeals to potential signings gives Miami a recruiting weapon that no other MLS club can match.
For MLS fans across the country, this kind of move raises the league's profile in a meaningful way. Every marquee signing that lands in MLS forces the world to take the league more seriously as a destination for elite players — not just a retirement stop, but a genuine career choice for players still in or near their prime.
From a competitive standpoint, adding Casemiro would make Inter Miami an even more formidable force heading into the 2025 MLS season and beyond, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The spotlight on American soccer has never been brighter, and Inter Miami seems determined to stay front and center.
Nothing is official yet, and transfer rumors in soccer can evaporate as quickly as they appear. But with Messi personally involved and Casemiro reportedly open to the move, this is one story that MLS fans should watch very closely in the coming weeks.