Casemiro, a midfielder for Real Madrid, sobbed openly on Monday as he prepared to board a plane for Manchester United.
The Brazilian international will complete his £59.5 million transfer from Real Madrid and is anticipated to be introduced in front of the Old Trafford supporters before the crucial match against Liverpool on Monday night.
Casemiro was given a chance to say goodbye at a press conference at Real’s Valdebebas training complex on Monday, with president Florentino Perez, manager Ancelotti, and many of his teammates all in attendance.
And before he had even started speaking, the Brazil international was wiping away tears with a tissue.
Perez paid Casemiro a series of compliments in a heartfelt speech, describing the midfielder as one of Real’s ‘great leaders’ in their five Champions League wins and a ‘legend’ of the club.
When it came for the midfielder to speak, he broke down in tears, barely able to get his words out, before reaching for another tissue and finally composing himself.
“Good morning everyone. When I and my wife arrived here no one knew us. It was a new country and here we built our life and our family,” began Casemiro.
“I remember when I first received the Real Madrid call, I was so excited. When I left Brazil, I knew I would have played at Castilla, I was very excited because I knew I would have learnt the values of this club.”