Real Madrid Los Blancos all set for 12th title

The Champions League returns to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, an event that defensive midfield lynchpin Casemiro can't wait for, and a competition which coach Zinedine Zidane is confident of winning again this season.

One of the Frenchman's most loyal soldiers is hungry to help Real Madrid conquer their 12th title and continue living the dream that he is enjoying in the Spanish capital.

Victory in Wales next June would mean Los Blancos will become the first side in the modern era to retain the Champions League, and that's all the motivation that's required for Zidane and his troops.

In your wildest dreams, when you signed in January 2013, could you have imagined that you would become one of Zidane's undisputed starters?

"Firstly, I don't feel like an undisputed starter, I feel like a player trying to help the group achieve their goals.

"Many people may think that I'm living a dream and so I thank God every day for what is happening to me in life.

"Any child, any player in the world would dream of wearing the shirt of Madrid and I feel privileged.

"My response to this opportunity is to give my life and soul for this shirt."

Tell me - your start in Madrid. Was it hard?

"Since I set foot in Valdebebas I knew I had reached the world's largest club.

"Any change is always hard, but I brought my girlfriend, now my wife, and she was a great support for me.

"When I arrived in Madrid I felt that it was a dream that I didn't want to escape from."

When you heard that teams were willing to pay more than 50 million euros for you, what did you think?

"That I don't ever want to leave here.

"My family and I are so happy in Madrid and in this club - it's impossible for me to think of another team or how much money I could earn elsewhere."

It all started with Mourinho, against Betis. Do you remember what the Portuguese coach told you on debut?

"He gave me a lot of confidence, telling me to play my normal game.

"Jose knew very well my style of football and at the end of the game he congratulated me.

"I am forever grateful for that trust."

Casemiro is fashionable, everyone is talking about you but what defines you?

"I don't think I'm fashionable, I only know that people are happy for everything I give on the pitch for my team and for my country.

"Being a defender for Real Madrid and Brazil makes me the proudest in the world.

"Casemiro's just a guy who doesn't want to miss this dream and is enjoying it to the fullest.

"I'm also aware every day that dreams and styles don't last, so I dedicate myself to this way of life in order that my own dream lasts as long as possible."

There are two recognisable tridents in Madrid. The BBC and placing you with Kroos and Modric. Tell me about them.

"The BBC is simply magic because often they make plays or score goals that I myself enjoy.

"And for me, Kroos and Modric are impressive - Luka plays the perfect pass, breaks the defensive lines as good as anyone and has an impressive shot.

"I love watching him play.

"The way Kroos organizes football is very easy.

"Before he gets the ball he has a 'chess board' in his mind and has already marked the next few moves in-play."

They say having you alongside makes them better, and can better express all the talent they possess....

"I enjoy sacrificing myself for my teammates because I know that with my effort, they are freed to create and score.

"You don't know how much I enjoy it when I steal the ball and the Bernabeu are applauding me.

"Upon arrival at Madrid I heard about Juanito Goyo Benito... hopefully someday, years from now, people will talk about Casemiro like that."

The club claim to have the best '5' in the world: Casemiro.

"I'm not sure about that but what the club can boast is that in Casemiro they have a player that will sacrifice himself every single day for the good of Real Madrid.

"I know how much it means to play for this club and I have to be an example on and off the field.

"I can't fail, there's no better feeling than wearing this shirt."

It seems that every day you get better, that your trajectory is unstoppable.

"I think I'm growing a lot by being surrounded by the best players in the world.

"My teammates are so good that they make you push yourself, and it's clear that every player who wears this shirt grows in stature as a footballer."

Bernabeu and the Champions League. Is there anything more spectacular?

"The Estadio Santiago Bernabeu adores the Champions League and on nights like this, the stadium becomes pure magic."

Can you win it all this season?

"We have the best squad that I've ever played, there are so many players of such quality that this team will go all the way in every competition."