Jamie Carragher's Dramatic Casemiro U-turn: Liverpool Legend Admits He Was Wrong
In a remarkable reversal of opinion, former Liverpool defender and prominent football pundit Jamie Carragher has publicly admitted he was mistaken in his harsh assessment of Manchester United midfielder Casemiro. This comes two years after Carragher's infamous declaration that "the football had left" the Brazilian international.
The Infamous Criticism That Sparked Controversy
Back in May 2024, following Manchester United's humiliating 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace under then-manager Erik ten Hag, Carragher delivered a scathing verdict on Casemiro's future. The Sky Sports pundit suggested the midfielder should consider retiring from top-level football, stating: "I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level. The next two league games and the cup final, then he should be thinking, I need to go to the MLS or Saudi [Arabia]."
Carragher went even further, adding: "This has to stop because we are watching one of the greats of modern times. I always remember the saying 'leave the football before the football leaves you'. The football's left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move."
Casemiro's Resurgence Under Michael Carrick
Fast forward to 2026, and the narrative has completely shifted. Casemiro, who has announced he will leave Manchester United at the end of the current season, has been instrumental in the team's recent resurgence under new manager Michael Carrick. The Brazilian's standout performance came during United's dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford, where he scored with a powerful header and provided an assist for Matheus Cunha's goal.
This performance contributed to United's perfect start under Carrick, with three consecutive wins where Casemiro has played a pivotal role. The 33-year-old's physical transformation and renewed commitment have been particularly noticeable, marking a significant departure from his form during the latter stages of the 2023-24 campaign.
Carragher's Public Admission of Error
During a recent Sky Sports broadcast, Carragher openly acknowledged his previous assessment was incorrect. "It is now fair to say the football has not left him," Carragher stated, directly contradicting his earlier comments. "Considering what he's producing this season in the Premier League, and not just Fulham at home, you think what he did last week against Arsenal away and Manchester City at home."
The Liverpool legend even conceded that Casemiro would be justified in responding to his criticism. "Casemiro is well within his rights to, if he wants to come back at me and say, 'leave the punditry before the punditry's left you!' He could definitely get one of those back in. Credit to him, he looks a completely different player. He looks like a different player physically as well."
Carragher reflected on the physical transformation he has observed: "Even when I said that, you looked at him and he looked like an old man coming to the end of his time as a player. And whether he let himself go a little bit, or now he's being ultra professional, physically, he looks completely different."
The Broader Context of Punditry and Player Performance
This episode highlights several important aspects of modern football:
- The volatility of player form: Even experienced professionals can experience significant dips and subsequent recoveries in performance
- The pressure of punditry: High-profile commentators face scrutiny when their predictions prove inaccurate
- The impact of managerial changes: Casemiro's resurgence coincides with Michael Carrick's appointment, suggesting tactical and motivational factors at play
- Player longevity: At 33, Casemiro demonstrates that elite footballers can maintain high performance levels with proper conditioning and motivation
While Casemiro's departure from Manchester United at season's end has been confirmed, his recent performances have certainly altered the narrative surrounding his final chapter at Old Trafford. Carragher's willingness to publicly correct his earlier assessment represents a rare moment of humility in the often-opinionated world of football punditry, acknowledging that even experts can misjudge a player's capabilities and resilience.
