"I wanted Neymar to come to Real Madrid, I speak to him almost every day" - Casemiro

Neymar was linked to the Los Blancos in the summer but the deal failed to materialize

"I wanted Neymar to come to Real Madrid, I speak to him almost every day" - Casemiro
Casemiro and Neymar

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro revealed how he hoped to line up with his national team colleague Neymar.

The Brazilian was linked with a move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in the summer and Casemiro was hoping that it had come to fruition.

"I wanted Neymar to come to Real Madrid, I speak to him almost every day, he's a great player," he told Jose Ramon de la Morena on Onda Cero.

It also led to a typical question posed to Los Blancos players of their aim for this season and their priority among the silverware on offer.

"The league is what shows consistency throughout the year, it's every weekend, but when the Bernabeu has the Champions League anthem, Madrid is different.

"I prefer the Champions League," he admitted.

For the holding midfielder though, glory is not in his interests as he explained his role.

"For me, the goal is to steal the ball and the Bernabeu celebrates it in the same way," he explained.

"You enjoy football just as much in every position, my goal is to steal the ball. I enjoy stealing the ball and helping my team-mates."

He was also asked what has set him apart to become one of the first names on the Real Madrid teamsheet in recent years.

"It's a bit of everything: work, talent, humility, I think above all it's hard work.

"When you work you get results and work is my strength," he explained.

"I think we are all important, some play more than others but we are all important."

One player who has grown in importance this season is his companion Fede Valverde.

"I think he's a great player, he's going to be a lot better than he is now.

"He's taking over everything and the best is that he's a Real Madrid player," he joked.

 

READ ALSO:

“I have to improve myself and to learn much more things to get on this level and to play for Liverpool” - Timo Werner

 

Another talented youngster is Martin Odegaard, out on loan at Real Sociedad, who Casemiro is also keen to praise.

"Real Madrid have always believed in him and he's having a great season," he said of the Norwegian.

"I have to congratulate him because he's having an incredible year," he added.

The battling midfielder will undoubtedly be key for Real Madrid in the business end of the season ahead of another summer of speculation with Odegaard and Neymar just two of the names likely to circulate.