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Lionel Messi vents fury as Casemiro howler sees Inter Miami drop points in home debut
Casemiro suffered a horror home debut for Inter Miami, as he gave away possession and then scored an own goal moments later.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder signed with the Major League Soccer club on July 22, as a 34-year-old free agent.
He will play alongside Lionel Messi, who returned on Saturday night for his first minutes since losing the World Cup final with Argentina.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared as a second-half substitute against Columbus Crew, in a match that finished 2-2 and featured a moment to forget for Casemiro.
Casemiro risks Lionel Messi wrath with Miami mistake
Just 33 minutes into his home debut, the Brazilian slipped as he attempted to find a teammate with a pass out of the back line.
It was intercepted by Columbus midfielder Hugo Picard, who pushed forward on the counter.
A sweeping move ended with Taha Habroune playing the ball into the Miami box, where an off-balance Casemiro poked the ball past his own goalkeeper.
The own goal handed Columbus an equaliser from nothing, after Luis Suarez had opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
Casemiro looked dejected after his mistake — and new team-mate Messi appeared rather upset too.
MLS cameras cut to the forward scowling on the bench.
“A goal is a goal,” Columbus’ official X account later posted on social media, rubbing salt in the wounds by sharing a clip of Casemiro’s embarrassing slip.
Miami went on to restore their lead through Noah Allen in added time at the end of the first half, but a late goal from Brais Mendez ensured the points were shared at Nu Stadium.
It was the first time the team has dropped points since resuming play following the World Cup.
While he didn’t get off to the best of starts alongside Messi, Casemiro has vowed to help the greatest player of all time in his request for more trophies.
“The amount of trouble Messi gave me, of course, I dreamed of playing with him,” the midfielder said, after joining Miami.
“I always wanted to play with the best. I could never stop him, I always needed the help of my teammates.
“I am very happy to be alongside him now and I want to continue winning titles with him. I want to enjoy being alongside him, help him and make him even greater.
“He is one of the gods of football, if not the God of football himself, and I want to help.”
At 34, Casemiro has agreed a contract through the end of the 2027 MLS season.
Casemiro no longer in Brazil national team plans
He will be fully focused on club football, with Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirming last month that the midfielder is no longer in his national team plans.
Ancelotti is looking to build a younger squad for the 2028 Copa America, meaning Casemiro, Danilo and the recently-retired Neymar will all miss out.
“I think this World Cup marks the end of a generation of very important players,” the coach told Brazilian broadcaster Ge TV.
“Starting with Neymar, going through Danilo, Casemiro, all those players who were over 30 years old at the World Cup.
“We are going to map out new players who can enter, I’m not saying for the next World Cup in 2030, but who can already be competitive in the first objective, which is the Copa America in 2028.”
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