Philippe Coutinho is a Brazilian international professional footballer. Who plays left-wing or forward for FC Barcelona and the Brazil international team. Known for his combative nature, brilliance, and prowess in the air. Coutinho is also known for being one of the world’s best passers. He is highly regarded in Europe for his mastery of the English language. And for being able to play the game brilliantly both on the field and off it. He is renowned for his ability to dribble, pass and score goals. Philippe Coutinho‘s Biography reveals the key elements. That has made him a great player and a star in his own right.
Early life:
The third and youngest son of Esmeralda Coutinho and architect José Carlos Correia. Coutinho was born on 12 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. He was raised in Rio’s northern Rocha district between an old shanty town and industrial warehouses.
As a child, he followed his elder brothers Cristiano and Leandro to a local concrete football pitch. Where he first began playing futsal which he said, helped him develop his skills as a footballer. With space restricted and the need for skill and improvisation heightened, the diminutive Coutinho thrived. After joining a local football academy on the insistence of his friend’s grandmother. His father was later approached at a tournament by youth coaches at Vasco da Gama. Where he attended a trial and joined their youth system.
International career:
Coutinho began his football career at International. A club in Brazil that had ambitions of joining the Brazilian national team later on. He did not make a first-team appearance until the 2021/06 season. When he came on as a substitute in a reserve fixture against Sporting Lisbon and was impressed with his performance. Earning himself a call-up by Brazil coach Joao Pinto. From thereon, Coutinho went on to play for the Barca first team. Where he quickly displayed his talent by scoring three goals in two games against Benfica and Celtic. Earning him a call up to the national side.
Liverpool Club:
Philippe Coutinho is now one of the most players in the Liverpool squad. Having scored 18 goals in 27 appearances so far this season. This impressive form has caught the attention of many name footballers in the world including Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and David Beckham of Los Angeles Galaxy. Also, it has earned Coutinho a place in the heart of the Liverpool faithful. They have turned their backs on the much-maligned Coutinho due to his lack of game time.
Coutinho is now one of the core players for the club. Which has made life easier for Liverpool manager Liverpool boss Liverpool Rafael Benitez. With Coutinho playing regularly and at a high level, Benitez can rotate players effectively within the team and gives them more chance to gel and form a good partnership with each other. He has become a mainstay in the Liverpool side since 2021 and has not missed a single game yet.
Coach choice:
Coutinho’s ability to create chances and score goals has also endeared him to Benitez. Coutinho is now one of the favorite players for Benitez, who has named him as one of his key players for the season. Coutinho has also established himself as one of the best players in the world not only because of his performances on the field but also off the field, as he has established himself as a charity contributor. The fact that he has remained clean for such a long time speaks volumes about his character and resilience to temptation.
Philippe Coutinho is one of the most exciting players on the Liverpool team. He has speed, finesse, and goal-scoring prowess, which make him one of the most desirable players in the world. Coutinho’s rise to prominence at a big club like Liverpool has surprised many people given his lack of experience when compared with the top players in the world. However, he has impressed Benitez, praising the Brazilian right midfielder as one of the best in the world at the moment.
Barcelona Club:
On 6 January 2018, Liverpool confirmed they had reached an agreement with La Liga club Barcelona for the transfer of Coutinho. His transfer fee is an initial £105 million, which could rise to £142 million with various clauses. However, he eventually won his second La Liga title with Barcelona, in which he played 54 matches in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.
On 19 August 2019, Coutinho joined German club Bayern Munich on a season-long loan
Now Coutinho returned to Barcelona with the arrival of new coach Ronald Koeman. On 4 October 2020, he scored his first goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Sevilla. On 29 December 2020, he suffered from a knee injury in a 1–1 draw against Eibar, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season since then.
Personal life:
He married Aine in the summer of 2012 in Brazil. The couple has two daughters and one son. He has tattoos stretching from his fingers to his biceps which form tributes to his parents, two brothers, and his wife Aine.
More Read:
Lionel Messi Biography, Early life, wife, club & International career