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Tipping the balance: Casemiro can lead Brazil's new generation

The Real Madrid midfielder once again underlined his importance to the Selecao at the World Cup in Russia and will be vital to their future

“You don’t realise how good and incredibly important Casemiro is, until he’s not there,” former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa said after a 2-1 defeat to Belgium ended Brazil’s World Cup.

The Selecao undoubtedly felt the absence of the defensive midfielder, who had been so key to providing balance to a midfield that provided defensive cover more than ever before under coach Tite.

Casemiro had spent the last two years consistently ferrying over to the left to help plug the gaps left by the offensive trio of Marcelo, Philippe Coutinho and Neymar.