Major League Soccer is launching a full-blown investigation into Inter Miami’s signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, throwing a major wrench into what should be a straightforward superstar arrival. Miami announced the 34-year-old is set to join their squad through the 2027 season, with an option to extend it through 2029, dropping an article and social media posts on Wednesday to celebrate the move. But the league isn’t just letting it slide.
What the Heck Is Going On With That Deal?
MLS put out a statement confirming they are “reviewing a tampering allegation against Inter Miami CF.” They made it clear they are “gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete.” Talk about setting the tone for a major player signing! Here’s why this is such a big deal: the league has a specific rule to stop teams from getting into crazy bidding wars over top international players. Teams have to acquire a player’s “discovery rights” before they can even negotiate with them. Guess who had Casemiro’s discovery rights? The LA Galaxy.
The plot thickened when MLS confirmed that Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy actually reached a settlement over those discovery rights. But get this: the terms of that settlement? They won’t be released until the tampering investigation wraps up. That’s a huge red flag if you ask me. The league literally said, “While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the Discovery Priority to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation.” It makes you wonder what they are trying to keep quiet during this review.
Casemiro’s Unbelievable Résumé Arrives in MLS
Despite all the behind-the-scenes drama, Casemiro’s arrival is a massive deal for the league. This guy is a certified winner, and this will be his first time playing in MLS. He spent nine seasons dominating with Real Madrid from 2013 to 2022, racking up 224 appearances and scoring 24 goals. Then he moved to Manchester United ahead of the 2022 Premier League season, playing in 111 matches and adding 15 goals over four seasons. His trophy cabinet is insane: 5 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, 3 La Liga championships, 1 Copa del Rey, and 3 Spanish Super Cups. He’s also suited up 91 times for the Brazilian national team. Miami co-owner David Beckham spoke highly of Casemiro, saying, “I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami. He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.” We’ll just have to see if this investigation clears up soon so we can fully enjoy this legend on the pitch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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