Liverpool star Fabinho has insisted there is no bad will between him and Manchester United’s Casemiro, despite competing for the same place in Brazil’s squad.
The pair are set to travel to Qatar with Brazil this month, having both been named in Tite’s squad for the tournament.
Who starts between the pair remains to be seen, with Brazil’s midfield currently a highly competitive one with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Fred and Lucas Paqueta also in the current group and competing for a starting place.
There has already been something of a battle between the Liverpool and Manchester United stars earlier in their careers, when Casemiro arrived at Real Madrid’s Castilla team at the same time that Fabinho was playing for them.
The former ultimate enjoyed a much more successful time with the Spanish giants, going on to make 336 appearances for them and winning five Champions Leagues, three Spanish titles and numerous other trophies in a glittering career before joining Manchester United in the summer.
Fabinho, meanwhile, only managed one 14-minute appearance in the Real Madrid first team before being sold to Monaco in 2015 and going on to enjoy success with Liverpool.
He could feel slightly envious of his compatriot, but he insists there is no animosity with a player he is very much competing against in the Brazil squad.
“I remember when Casão arrived at Real Madrid Castilla, at that time there was only Spanish in the team,” he told GE Globo.
“You get along well with the guys, they were all good people, boys of similar age, but when there’s a Brazilian on the team, it’s different, right? You automatically get closer to the guy; you start to have daily reviews.
“Despite being someone who disputes position with me, it can be said that our relationship is good. He’s a guy I’ve had contact with, I talk normally with him.
“Now that he’s come to England, I’ve talked to him at the national team, I asked him how the adaptation was going, leaving a club where he spent nine years.
“Casão is an experienced guy, he was very successful at Real Madrid, he is doing well at Manchester United. Despite being a guy with whom I compete for position, I get along very well, because I’ve played with him, and I know him well.”
