It can’t have been just us who noticed Casemiro’s high level of fitness when the Reds first reported back for pre-season back in July…
In fact, we know it wasn’t — United fans all over commented on his physique — so we asked him about it!
In a new interview conducted inside the Carrington gym, Casemiro ran us through the mentality behind his fitness, how his approach to working out has changed throughout his career and what both his daily routine and his post-match habits look like.
As for our comments on pre-season, he responded to them with a proud smile.
“There are two ways to look at it,”
he reflected.
“You need to enjoy the holidays and the time off. The body needs its rest. I love the phrase: rest is work. So, I have rested well.
“After that, I have had time to train, to look after myself and be with my family. It is a good combination that allowed me to return how I wanted to.
“Of course, we talk about pre-season as a time to really grind, and really do some real work. Then afterwards, the season is for enjoyment, enjoying more time with the ball, and doing more specific work.
“But pre-season is about working really hard, then during the season you can focus more on the games themselves.”
So what does a normal day look like for the five-time Champions League-winning midfielder?
“So, for example, today, we need to be here at 9:45am, and we train at 11am,” Casemiro explained.
“When I wake up in the morning, I like to have breakfast with my kids and be with my family. It is a very special time for me to have breakfast with my family at home.
“Then, absolutely every day I come here thirty minutes early for the gym. Normally we start at 10:30am in the gym, I come at 10am to warm up, and go through my routine, doing the things I like to do.
“Then, I do the preparation and warm-up with the team, before we head out onto the pitch.
“Then it depends on each week. If we have a full week, we normally go to the gym after training, which could be upper or lower body. But every day, I am here thirty minutes beforehand.
“After training, I do recovery and have a massage. Like the Spanish, I like to nap too! I like to nap in the afternoon. Also, at home I like to use the sauna, and the ice bath. I have quite a few things at home.”
It’s clearly a well-established routine for a player who has worked out exactly what he likes over a distinguished career, with a balance between family time, preparation, hard work and recovery.