Manchester United midfielder Casemiro will lead Brazil as captain in their international friendly vs Morocco.
After nine hugely-successful years with Real Madrid - where he won five Champions League medals and the La Liga title on three occasions - Casemiro touched down in the Premier League for an initial £60million from Madrid last summer and has been imperious for the Old Trafford giants in central midfield.
Shoring up long-standing concerns in the engine room, Casemiro has totted up 38 appearances for United in all competitions and helped the club end their six-year trophy hoodoo in the Carabao Cup showpiece against Newcastle United at Wembley last month. He is currently serving a four-game domestic ban.
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However, along with his United teammates, Casemiro finds himself away on international duty right now and he will captain The Selecao when they get down to business against World Cup surprise package Morocco on Saturday night (10pm UK time) in the African city of Tangier.
Regular skipper Thiago Silva - from Chelsea - did not join up with Brazil due to a knee injury and Casemiro has been named as his replacement by interim manager Ramon Menezes. Speaking about that decision, Casemiro said: "There are several ways of thinking [about leadership].
"We had Thiago Silva [as captain] in the World Cup but, on my part, I feel prepared. I prepared myself for this and I'm thankful for the trust. If it's another captain, no problem, because I know I am one of the leaders and I have complete freedom to speak as a captain before the group."
Casemiro, who will win his 70th cap on Saturday night, could be joined in the Brazil line-up by Alex Telles and Antony. Fred was omitted from the squad.
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