Want to know how important Casemiro was to Real Madrid? Ask Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Two-thirds of the most iconic midfield trio in modern football -- with apologies to Barcelona's Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta -- are now facing up to life without the man Modric called "the best bodyguard in the world."
When reports of Manchester United's interest first surfaced, Kroos couldn't wait: he texted Casemiro at 4 a.m., asking if it was true. He later posted eight photos on Instagram, all of Casemiro, Kroos and Modric posing with a different trophy.