Manchester United’s midfield stalwart, Casemiro, found himself under the harsh scrutiny of Brazilian press following his subpar display for Brazil against Peru during the recent international break.
Ideally, during this break, Casemiro might have enjoyed some much-needed rest. However, Brazil had different plans, with the World Cup qualifiers underway in South America and Casemiro donning the captain’s armband on a permanent basis. This newfound responsibility only intensified the spotlight on the midfielder, and his performance during Brazil’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Peru exemplified the high standards to which the country’s supporters hold their players.
The Manchester United star’s showing on the pitch drew sharp criticism, particularly for his struggles in possession, as Brazil relied on PSG’s center-back, Marquinhos, to deliver an injury-time winning goal. Casemiro displayed his customary tenacity off the ball, successfully winning five out of six tackles. However, when it came to ball distribution, he appeared uncharacteristically wasteful, completing only 83 percent of his passes.
Brazilian outlet Terra didn’t mince words, remarking, “The usually excellent midfielder Casemiro had an off day in the national team’s jersey. His performance left much to be desired and left the fans disheartened.”
Lance, another prominent sports outlet, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Brazil faced a barrage of criticism on social media, with one of the team’s negative focal points being Casemiro’s performance.”
As Casemiro navigates these critical assessments, the eyes of fans and pundits alike will remain keenly fixed on his future performances, as he strives to regain his customary brilliance on the international stage.