The Europa League final held at San Mamés Stadium delivered yet another disappointment for Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who failed to add this trophy to his already impressive list of honors. Despite his experience and success at the highest level, the Manchester United player once again fell short with the English side, who were defeated 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur.

At 33 years old, Casemiro had one of the most important chances of the match, with a clear opportunity to equalize in the final minutes. However, his shot missed the target, and the score remained unchanged after an own goal by Luke Shaw, which was ultimately credited to Brennan Johnson. That missed chance only fueled further criticism, with many pointing fingers at the Brazilian for his lack of impact during crucial moments since joining the Premier League.

From European royalty at Real Madrid to doubts at United

The defensive midfielder began his professional career at São Paulo, where he won the Copa Sudamericana in 2012 before moving to Europe. His first stop was with Real Madrid Castilla, but he quickly earned a place in the senior team. After a loan spell at Porto, he returned to the Madrid club in 2015 and went on to enjoy the most successful spell of his career.

During his time at Real Madrid, Casemiro was a key figure in winning major trophies, including five Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, and several Supercups and Club World Cups. He anchored the midfield alongside stars like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, becoming one of the best in the world in his position.

But since arriving at Manchester United, things have been different. While he has won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024, the team’s overall performance has failed to meet expectations, and his personal form has been inconsistent. On nights like the one in Bilbao, pressure mounts, and he is viewed as one of the reasons the club has not regained its former European status.

With the Brazilian national team, he has also tasted glory, winning the Copa América in 2019 and the U-20 World Cup in 2011. However, the image he left at San Mamés raises the question: are we witnessing the decline of a legend or merely a rough chapter in an otherwise illustrious career?