Manchester United midfielder Casemiro gave his daughter Sara a memorable ninth birthday celebration by bringing in a talented local balloon artist to help create a special party atmosphere.

The Brazilian football star arranged a Hawaiian-themed party earlier this week, and to make the event even more impressive, he hired Alex Ireland, the owner of Bollington Balloons, to design custom balloon decorations for the occasion.

For Alex, who has built a successful career creating balloon displays for celebrations and events, working for a global football icon was another exciting moment in his growing list of high-profile bookings.

“I’ve worked with quite a few well-known people before,” Alex explained. “But it’s always exciting. When you’re around famous people, there’s definitely a bit of an adrenaline rush.”

Despite the celebrity nature of the event, Alex said the experience was enjoyable and that Casemiro was down-to-earth and welcoming throughout the celebration.

Alex launched Bollington Balloons in 2012 after deciding he wanted a career change that would allow him to spend more time with his children. What began as a simple idea eventually developed into a successful business.

“I needed something different that would work around my kids,” the 46-year-old said. “I saw someone making balloon decorations and thought it looked like something I could try.”

His first opportunity came when he created balloons for a friend’s christening as a favour. From there, word spread, and his hobby gradually became a full-time business.

Over the years, Bollington Balloons has grown into a company known for creating unique balloon designs for birthdays, celebrations, and special occasions. Alex’s creativity and attention to detail have helped him attract a wide range of clients, including some high-profile customers.

The connection with Casemiro’s family began unexpectedly. Alex was working at another party in December when he met Casemiro’s wife, Anna. During the event, he gave her his business card, not knowing whether it would lead to anything further.

A few weeks later, he received a call from a party planner asking about his services for an upcoming celebration.

By that point, Alex had a strong suspicion that the booking might be connected to the Manchester United star.

“I had pretty much figured out it was Casemiro before I arrived,” he admitted.

The request was to create a special balloon decoration for the party, including a balloon monkey designed specifically for the birthday celebration.

Although Alex was working at an event for one of football’s biggest names, he said he did not spend much time speaking with Casemiro because the midfielder was focused on enjoying the occasion with his daughter, family, and guests.

“I didn’t get to talk with him a huge amount because he was the birthday dad,” Alex explained. “His attention was on his children and everyone who was there to celebrate.”

However, the brief interactions they did have left a positive impression.

“He was a really nice guy,” Alex said. “He was friendly, approachable, and very humble.”

For Alex, the experience highlighted how even world-famous athletes value the same personal moments as everyone else — celebrating family milestones and creating memories with loved ones.

Casemiro, who has enjoyed a hugely successful football career including five UEFA Champions League titles during his time with Real Madrid, has often spoken about the importance of family away from football.

The midfielder joined Manchester United in 2022 after a decorated spell in Spain, becoming one of the Premier League club’s most experienced and respected players. Despite his status as an international football star, moments such as his daughter’s birthday show a more personal side of his life away from the pitch.

The Hawaiian-themed celebration combined fun decorations, family entertainment, and personalized touches designed to make Sara’s special day unforgettable.

For Alex, the booking was another milestone in the story of Bollington Balloons, a business that started from a simple career change and grew into an opportunity to work with clients from all backgrounds — including some of the biggest names in sport.

While meeting celebrities can bring excitement, Alex emphasized that the most rewarding part of his work remains creating memorable experiences for people celebrating important moments in their lives.

From a small favour at a friend’s christening to decorating a birthday party for a Manchester United superstar’s daughter, Alex’s journey shows how a creative idea can develop into something much bigger.

And for Casemiro’s family, the custom balloon creations helped add a unique and colourful touch to Sara’s ninth birthday celebration, proving that even football legends appreciate the magic of a carefully planned family event.