MADRID – Midfielder Casemiro has extended his contract with Real Madrid by two years until 2025, the Spanish giants announced.
The 29-year-old Brazilian international’s previous deal had been due to expire in 2023.
He joins Karim Benzema, until 2023, Thibaut Courtois, until 2026, and Federico Valverde, until 2027, in signing contract extensions with the club during the close-season.
“Casemiro signed his contract renewal at Cuidad Real Madrid, accompanied by president Florentino Perez,” Real said in a statement according to AFP.
“The Brazilian midfielder remains linked to our club until June 30, 2025.”
The defensive midfielder has won four Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu from Sao Paulo in 2013.
Casemiro has signed the new deal four days before the end of the transfer window, with Madrid still chasing the signature of Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Spanish champions Atletico Madrid will look to capitalise on their La Liga title rivals’ early season woes as they seek to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.
Real and Barca, missing a number of first team regulars through injury, have looked vulnerable in draws with lowly opposition and are recovering from tumultuous off-seasons.
Pundits have criticised the opening weeks of the season for the amount of low-scoring games, with Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini suggesting players and referees need to do more to increase the entertainment value.
However Ateltico coach Diego Simeone has insisted his focus is on ensuring his players get through the games after a tough pre-season, rather than playing swashbuckling stuff.
“Preparing for this campaign wasn’t easy, and less so for us given how many international players we have, especially the South Americans,” he said. “People might not care, but we have to keep tabs on these things.
“We’re also without Joao Felix and Hector Herrera, so there are players arriving back late and we need to adapt to that.”
Atleti and Sevilla are the only sides to win their first two games of the league campaign and Simeone will be helped by the return to full training of forward Luis Suarez, who hit 21 goals last season but has only been fit enough for the bench thus far.
Real Madrid, who could only draw against Levante last time out, visit Betis on Saturday with first teamers Dani Ceballos, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Ferland Mendy all absent, while centre back Nacho will undergo a late fitness test.
Barcelona, who were held by Athletic Bilbao last week, host Getafe on Sunday without Sergio Aguero, Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati and Marc-Andre te Stegen.
