Casemiro: I will never play for Barcelona

Despite being loaned to FC Porto under Carlo Ancelotti in 2014, and then sidelined by Rafa Benitez on his return to  Real Madrid the following year, Casemiro backed himself to become a vital part in the Los Blancos' line-up under Zinedine Zidane.

After first appearing for Madrid's B team RM Castilla as a youth prodigy from Sao Paulo, the Brazilian holds the club very close to his heart for playing a key role in his development.

“Real Madrid is much more than I expected. I love waking up in the morning and going to Valdebebas [Madrid's training base]. I love being with the players, joking, working, learning. I try to live football every day,” Casemiro  told Spanish channel Onda Cera in an interview. “Real Madrid is my life today.”

Asked about the prospect of playing for bitter-rivals Barcelona, the Brazilian was upfront in his response.

“I'll never play in Barcelona, because in Spain I am a Real Madrid supporter,” the midfielder said.

After being short-listed for the 2015 Ballon d'Or, Casemiro's compatriot  Neymar missed the honour.

“Neymar's career, there is still more to come," Casemiro said, and tipped club-mate Cristiano Ronaldo for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

“But all the football that Cristiano Ronaldo has done over the last 10 years is to remember for a lifetime. Neymar has everything to get it. Cristiano is going to win the [Ballon d'Or]," he stated.

The ex-Porto player also spoke highly of Barcelona’s holding midfielder Busquets.

“Busquets is a great player, how he plays the ball, his positioning, his balance on the pitch. The best players in my position are Busquets, Thiago , Gabi, Xabi Alonso," he said.