Casemiro, a midfielder for Manchester United, will lead Brazil in its debut match under temporary head coach Ramon Menezes.
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Having done so 10 times for his former boss Tite over the past few years, Casemiro will not be leading his nation for the first time. Being given the armband for the first game in a new era, even if it is temporary, is a big step.
On Saturday night, Casemiro will start for Brazil versus World Cup semifinalist Morocco at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier. The 31-year-old was referred to in the initial article from Brazilian site Globoesporte as a “leader and reference” for younger players.
Menezes has only chosen 10 of the 26 players that traveled to Qatar after Brazil’s quarterfinal loss on penalties forced Tite to resign after six years in command.
With 10 uncapped recruits, majority of whom are under the age of 22, and 10 players with Brazilian roots, the group has an experimental feel to it. Due to injury, Neymar probably would have participated, but Marquinhos and Richarlison were both forced to sit out.
