Casemiro was a surprise when it broke that he was joining Manchester United. A huge fee, giant wages, 30 years old, we'd seen this story before. The ‘tell them I'll fix this’ quote instantly endeared him to the fanbase, but it was a later moment that sealed it.
His 94th minute equaliser at Stamford Bridge & the celebration that followed was not a man here for a pay day. He wasn't the latest mercenary collecting a cheque, this was one of the best midfielders of his generation writing his latest chapter.
It wasn't all perfect. Bad tactical decisions, whether Erik ten Hag's donut hole midfield or Ruben Amorim's ineptitude left him exposed as he aged. It didn't stop a brilliant first season, but his inability to run out games was an ongoing issue that wasn't masked to help him.
Nevertheless, every single time he faced adversity, or criticism, he would respond like a top professional. He is a proud man & fought back every single time he was challenged. He showed a level of experience & leadership that will be impossible to replace.
Whatever you thought when he was signed, the club is better for him being there. A top pro who worked hard & always came up big when it mattered. He will be missed & I'm grateful to have had him at Old Trafford. He will always be a beloved player, an icon, a cult hero.
Obrigado e tchau, @Casemiro.
A Turkish proverb says, “If a father bathes his children, both will laugh, and if a son bathes his father, both will cry.” Such is the painful beauty of life, where love comes full circle with time.
If we finally get an empathetic and sincere leader after these locusts, it’s then you’ll realize Nigerians are not adaptive as we assume.
They’ll demand for things they didn’t demand under the leaders that hate them.
It felt normal to many people until it came from your own blood or person you know.
This happened to my brother too. In his case, it wasn’t a text; it was a phone call.
Back when terrorism and Boko Haram were at their peak, killing soldiers almost every day, my brother was right there in the thick of the war, fighting night and day. Many of his comrades were killed.
One beautiful morning, he called me. His voice was heavy as he told me they were about to move into the main enclave of Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest. He said the mission was going to be very tough. Through his voice, I could tell the men were ready to die.
He said, “I will send you my account information and bank details. Keep them safe. My cars are yours too, in case anything happens. But please, don’t tell Mama I’m in Sambisa. Just pray for me and my comrades to come back home alive.”
With a deep voice and tears in my eyes, I replied, “Sir, you’re coming back home alive, safe and strong.”
After that, the network cut off. I tried reaching him again, but it didn’t go through. The only thing that came was a text from him containing his bank details and some confidential information.
That was it. His number was switched off for the next seven days. No calls, no messages. I kept hoping and praying he was safe.
Then on the ninth day, I received a call from him. His voice was deep and filled with sorrow.
“We defeated them,” he said, “but I lost my comrades… my course mate and my antiman. Omo, it was deadly. But God saved me.”
Thankfully, my brother came back alive. He is now retired and doing strong.
May GOD continue to protect our Soldiers. And for the fallens heroes who paid the ultimate price. Your memories will always be with us. And it'll be written in gold. Thank you. Till we meet again.