Philippe Coutinho

 

Philippe Coutinho Correia is a professional footballer from Brazil who currently plays for the Brazilian national team and the Spanish club 'Futbol Club Barcelona,' also known as 'FC Barcelona,' or 'Barcelona.' His position on the field is offensive midfielder/winger. He was enrolled in a local football academy after demonstrating his football talent as a child. He joined the Brazilian football club 'Vasco da Gama"s youth wing and flourished there. He was signed by the Italian football club 'Internazionale' in 2008, however, due to his age, he was loaned back to 'Vasco.' He made his senior debut for Brazil and Internazionale in 2010. In 2012, 'Internazionale' loaned him to 'Espanyol'. In January 2013, he joined the 'Premier League' club 'Liverpool,' earning the nickname 'Little Magician' for his dribbling, passing, and long-range striking abilities, as well as his vision. In 2014–2015, he was named to the 'PFA Premier League Team of the Year,' and in 2015–2016, he was named the 'Liverpool FC Fans' Player of the Year.' In January 2018, he joined 'Barcelona.'

Childhood and Adolescence

He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 12, 1992, to architect José Carlos Correia and his wife, Esmerelda Coutinho. He was their youngest and third child. He grew up in Rio's northern Rocha neighborhood.

At a young age, he was captivated by football. He used to go to a neighborhood concrete football pitch with his older brothers, Cristiano and Leandro. He began by playing futsal there, but after demonstrating exceptional football ability, he was accepted into a local football academy.

In a tournament, the youth coaches of the Brazilian football club 'Vasco da Gama' saw his talent and approached his father. He joined the club's youth system after attending a trial session.

Career

He flourished in the 'Vasco da Gama' youth system, and he was soon enlisted in Brazil's national 'Under-15' football squad.

Internazionale, a famous Italian football team, signed him for €4 million when he was only 16 years old in July 2008. Coutinho was loaned to 'Vasco' for two years since international players under the age of 18 were not allowed to play professional football in Italy.

In 2009, he helped 'Vasco' win the 'Campeonato Brasileiro Série B' title, ensuring them promotion. Coutinho became a crucial first-team member in the next year, making 31 appearances and scoring five goals.

Coutinho was a vital member of the Brazilian team that won the 2009 'South American Under-17 Football Championship.'

He joined 'Internazionale' in July 2010 and made his official debut with the club on August 27 of the same year. On May 8, 2011, he scored his first goal for 'Internazionale' from a free-kick in a match against 'Fiorentina.'

Meanwhile, he made his first senior debut for Brazil on October 7, 2010.

On January 30, 2012, he was loaned to the 'La Liga' club 'Espanyol.' On February 4, 2012, he made his debut for 'Espanyol,' and scored his first goal for the club against 'Rayo Vallecano' in March of the same year. At the end of the season, he returned to 'Internazionale.'

Coutinho signed a long-term contract with the 'Premier League team 'Liverpool,' with the club confirming it on January 30, 2013. On February 11 of that year, he made his debut for the club against 'West Bromwich Albion.' On February 17 of that year, he scored his first goal for the club, as 'Liverpool' won 5–0 against 'Swansea City.'

In March 2013, he was named 'Liverpool's Player of the Month,' and the following month, he was named 'Man of the Match,' in a match against 'Newcastle United,' in which Liverpool won 6–0.

On November 23, 2013, he scored the opening goal in the Merseyside derby. The match between 'Liverpool' and 'Everton' ended in a 3–3 draw at Goodison Park.

In the 2014 match between 'Liverpool' and 'Manchester City,' he scored the game-winning goal, bringing 'Liverpool' to a 3–2 victory. 'Liverpool' moved seven points ahead of 'Manchester City in the Premier League table with this victory. However, 'Manchester City' won the title in the end, with 'Liverpool' coming in second.

On February 3, 2015, he agreed to a new long-term contract with 'Liverpool,' which would keep him at the club until 2020. On February 4 of that year, 'Liverpool' defeated 'Bolton Wanderers' 2–1 in the fourth round of the 'The Football Association Challenge Cup' (FA Cup), with Coutinho scoring the winning goal.

He was named the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for February 2015. He scored the game-winning goal for 'Liverpool' against 'Manchester City' on March 1, 2015. He was the only player from 'Liverpool' to be named to the 'PFA Premier League Team of the Year' on April 26, 2015. He was selected 'Liverpool's Player of the Season' on May 19, 2015.

On May 5, 2015, he was named to the roster for the 2015 Copa América. On June 7 of that year, he scored his first international goal in a 2–0 victory over Mexico for Brazil.

Coutinho scored an equalizer goal against 'Manchester City in the 2016 'Football League Cup' final on February 28, 2016, at the 'Wembley Stadium,' London. 'Manchester City' went on to win the game 3–1 in a penalty shoot-out.

Coutinho scored the winning goal for 'Liverpool' in a 1–1 draw with 'Manchester United' on March 17, 2016, at 'Old Trafford.' He contributed to the club's 3–1 aggregate triumph, qualifying them for the 'UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.

He scored the game-winning goal in the Merseyside derby between 'Liverpool' and 'Everton' on April 21, 2016.

Soon after, he was named to the Brazilian squad for the Centenario Copa América. On June 8, 2016, he scored a hat-trick in Brazil's 7–1 victory against Haiti in the second group game at the 'Citrus Bowl.'

'Man of the Match' for three consecutive matches against 'West Bromwich Albion,' 'Crystal Palace,' and 'Watford,' respectively, during the 2016–2017 season. In January 2017, Coutinho agreed to a new five-year contract with the club, which would keep him at the club until 2022.

In a match against 'Stoke,' he scored his 30th 'Premier League' goal, becoming him the most prolific Brazilian goal-scorer in the 'Premier League"s history.'

Due to the absence of Jordan Henderson in the last group game of the 2017–2018 'UEFA Champions League,' Coutinho was named captain of 'Liverpool' for the first time on December 6, 2017. In the same game, he scored his first hat-trick for the club. 'Spartak Moscow' was defeated 7–0 by Liverpool.

On January 6, 2018, 'Liverpool' confirmed an agreement with 'La Liga' club 'Barcelona' about Coutinho's transfer. On January 25, 2018, he made his 'Barcelona' debut, scoring a 2–0 victory over 'Espanyol' in the 'Copa del Rey' quarter-finals.

On February 8, 2018, he scored his first goal for 'Barcelona' against 'Valencia CF' in the second leg of the 'Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Personal Experiences

Coutinho married his partner, Aine, in the summer of 2012 in Brazil, where he is a fervent Christian.