Florentino Pérez thanks Casemiro "for helping to make Real Madrid bigger"

MADRID, 22 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, on Monday thanked the Brazilian Carlos Casemiro "for helping to make the Madrid club bigger" and assured that the midfielder, who is heading to Manchester United, has been key and "one of the great references" in the last successful stage marked by the conquest of five Champions League in eight years.

"The great history of our club is written every day and with the principles that have accompanied it for 120 years, but that require the sacrifice and dedication of special and unique footballers, capable of generating legend and experiencing incredible emotions. Many in the sport wonder how it is possible that the myth of Real Madrid is capable of doing what it does and of achieving challenges that seem impossible, and part of the answer to this question is because of players like Carlos Henrique Casemiro", Pérez pointed out during the ceremony farewell to the footballer.

The president recalled that this was a day "to pay tribute" to one of the "great references of this wonderful era" who is experiencing an "unrepeatable" team and who arrived "at only 20 years old" in January 2013 to help stay with Real Madrid Castilla. "Months later you moved up to the first team and I will always remember those extraordinary 20 minutes in Dortmund that were key to winning the Champions League in Lisbon," he said.

For the businessman, the midfielder has become one of the "great myths" of the 14-time European champion, and he confessed that he thought "this day would never come". "It is a day for feelings and special for you and your family, who have seen you work, fight and suffer so that your dreams as a child would come true from humility and maximum effort," he stressed.

Pérez made it clear that Real Madrid is "very proud" of Casemiro's tenure for almost a decade, in which he fought "in every game as if it were the last of your life." "It is not easy to bear the pressure because here the demand is maximum, but not only have you done it but you have also helped colleagues to show the necessary rebellion to do it too, thanks for acting like a father with the youngest", he pointed out.

The Real Madrid president also thanked the international for "being an example of commitment and values" and "for giving everything until the end with the utmost dedication". "Young people see in you a benchmark of work, sacrifice and respect. You have given the best of yourself to the fans and they have given you the value of their strength," he added.

The president stressed that it is "not easy" to end this cycle in a club where "you only wanted to be allowed to play five games in a row to show your quality." "You have been exemplary every day during these years and also at the farewell, because of the generosity you have shown you have earned the right to decide your future and we have to respect it," he warned.

"You start a new stage in a friendly and legendary club. Wherever you are, you will be a great ambassador for Real Madrid, where you have won everything and from which you get the respect of all the Madridistas who will remember you as a great legend. We have lived a wonderful story together, thanks for helping us make Real Madrid bigger", he concluded.