Casemiro: Real Madrid midfielder reveals he changed positions after trial at Sao Paulo

Real Madrid star Casemiro has revealed he lied about being a defensive midfielder while trialling for Sao Paulo in his native Brazil.

The 27-year-old has become renowned as one of the game’s leading number sixes, winning four Champions League titles and a La Liga crown with Real Madrid, as well as the 2019 Copa America with Brazil.

Why did Casemiro switch positions? Five things to know…

• Casemiro started his career at Sao Paulo in his native Brazil.
• The 27-year-old originally intended to trial as a striker.
• But he lied about being a defensive midfielder to give himself a better chance.
• He has since gone on to become one of the most renowned holding midfielders in the world.
• Casemiro has made more interceptions than any other La Liga player so far this season (21).

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But in a recent interview with Spanish media, Casemiro revealed he, in fact, turned up to his Sao Paolo trials during his younger years as a striker but lied about his position upon seeing the level of competition in that area.

“When I turned up, I was about 12 or 13 years old, there were about 300 players there and they were only going to choose 50,” he said.

“I remember very well that when the coach asked who were goalkeepers, three people put up their hands.

“Then he asked how many were forwards and 40 or so kids put their hands up and I said to myself, ‘there’s a lot of competition so I won’t be a striker.’ The same thing happened when they asked for midfielders and so I did the same.

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“Then the coach said: ‘Are there any defensive midfielders?’ Seven or eight hands went up so I said to myself: ‘Ok, I’m a defensive midfielder.”

“I trained as a defensive midfielder during the trial and the coach pulled me aside and said: ‘You’re not a defensive midfielder, you came here as a forward.’ But I kept insisting that I was and that’s where it all started.”

Casemiro has made more interceptions (21) than any other La Liga player this season, while he also ranks joint-second for tackles (22).