Real Madrid Castilla were only supposed to be a testing ground for Casemiro, but instead the Brazilian defensive midfielder used it as a stepping stone towards stardom.
Now a Real Madrid regular, he is one of Zinedine Zidane's most important players, as his role provides balance to the enitre team.
On loan from Sao Paulo, Casemiro arrived at Castilla in January 2013 and by April 20, he had already been handed a first-team debut by Jose Mourinho.
In the 2014/15 campaign he was loaned to Porto, but since coming back he has won two Champions Leagues and become an essential piece of the puzzle in the Real Madrid midfield.
Casemiro's rise has been meteoric, and Los Blancos' decision to pay 6 million euros for his buy-out clause to the Brazilian club, and then 7.5 for him to return from Porto, proved to be astute business to say the least.
Carlo Ancelotti was in charge back then, with the defensive midfielder eager to prove he wasn't just there to make up the numbers.
Although he had showed promise against Borussia Dortmund, the Italian coach decided Casemiro wasn't ready yet, and the loan spell did wonders to his play as he returned a more mature player.
Rafa Benitez's style fit the Brazilian like a glove, but as his project unravelled it looked as though it could take down Casemiro with him, as he symbolises the solid defensive approach and lack of flair that made the ex-Liverpool boss a bad fit.
Instead, the midfield general impressed his next coach Zinedine Zidane, so crucial that when fit he is preferred to players of Isco and James Rodriguez's quality.
Far from an unsung hero, he might not have the flair of other Galacticos, but few players are so important to this Real side, and few have grown so spectacularly in the span of just a few seasons.
Source: Marca.
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