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The Strange Career Of Philippe Coutinho
Apr 20, 2025
"Philippe Coutinho was once hailed as the “Little Magician,” dazzling crowds with his flair and creativity. But after a blockbuster move to Barcelona, everything changed. From his rise at Liverpool to a sudden downturn in Spain, Coutinho’s story is packed with twists you won’t see coming. How did one of football’s brightest talents fade so fast? Discover the highs, the lows, and the unanswered questions behind this Brazilian playmaker’s baffling decline. Step into the mystery and decide for yourself what really happened to the magician who once seemed unstoppable."
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0:00
On January 6th, 2018, Barcelona announced the signing of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool
0:06
for a staggering amount of €145 million. It was meant to be a dream move, the pinnacle of a career that had been on a steady rise in England
0:16
But instead, it marked the beginning of one of the most dramatic declines
0:21
At Liverpool, Coutinho was a hero. He was the little magician, a player capable of unlocking defences with a flick of his boot
0:28
curling long-range shots into the top corner like it was second nature
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But at Barcelona, he never looked comfortable. The same fans who once welcomed him as Neymar's successor turned on him
0:40
Soon, he was shipped off on loan, discarded like an expensive mistake
0:44
His career has been a whirlwind of brilliance, bad decisions and misfortune too
0:49
From the streets of Brazil to Inter Milan, from Liverpool to Barcelona
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and then an unexpected stint in Qatar. Coutinho's journey is one of football's strangest tales
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So what really happened to the little Brazilian magician? Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, Coutinho was raised in a football-loving family
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Like many Brazilian stars, he grew up playing futsal, which helped develop his close control and quick feet
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At the age of 16, he was signed by Italian giants Inter Milan
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But due to age restrictions, he stayed at Vasco da Gama on loan until he turned 18
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When he finally arrived in Italy in 2010, Inter had just won the treble under Mourinho
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The team was stacked with experienced stars like Wesley Schneider and Esteban Cambiasso
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leaving little room for a teenage playmaker. Coutinho struggled to make an impact, and his slight frame made it difficult for him to adapt
1:50
to the physicality of the Serie A. A loan spell at Espanyol in 2012 under a young Maurizio Pochettino provided a glimpse of his talent
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He was given more freedom and his dribbling and creativity stood out. But when he returned to Inter, he still found himself on the fringes
2:06
By January 2013, Inter decided to cut their losses and accepted an £8.5 million bid from Liverpool
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Few could have predicted what would happen next. When Coutinho arrived at Anfield, he was just 20 years old
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Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool's manager at the time, described him as a little wizard and immediately put him in the starting line-up
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His impact was instant. On his full debut against Swansea City, he scored a goal and set up another, giving fans a taste of what was to come
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The 2013-14 season was where he truly established himself. Playing behind Suarez and Sturridge in a free-flowing attack, Coutinho's vision and passing helped Liverpool come within touching distance of the Premier League title
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He wasn't the main star as Suarez stole most of the headlines, but his contributions were vital to the attack
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His goal against City in April 2014 remains one of the most iconic moments of that season
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As the years passed, Coutinho became Liverpool's talisman. After Suarez left for Barcelona in 2014, he stepped up
3:07
His dribbling long shooting and ability to dictate play made him one of the most feared attacking midfielders in the league Similar to Robins trademark if you let prime Coutinho cut inside from the left wing and create space to shoot it was almost a guaranteed top banger Transfer this skill to taking free kicks Same angle dead ball and no pressure
3:28
Coutinho became particularly famous for his free kicks. During the 2016-17 season, he scored some insane goals from set pieces
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He earned a reputation as one of the best dead ball specialists in Europe
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By 2017, he was at the peak of his powers. That season, he scored 12 goals and registered 8 assists in just 20 league games
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But by then, a Spanish giant had already started wooing the Brazilian to come to sunny Barcelona soon
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Barcelona had been tracking Gatinho for a long time, but their interest became serious after Neymar's shock departure to PSG in the summer of 2017
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Desperate to replace him, they saw Coutinho as the ideal candidate. Liverpool rejected multiple bids, but Coutinho was determined to leave
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He even submitted a transfer request citing his desire to play for Barcelona as the reason
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Despite Liverpool's resistance, a deal was finally agreed in January 2018. At first, it looked like a perfect fit
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Coutinho scored 10 goals in his first six months and helped Barcelona win La Liga, but
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cracks soon appeared. Unlike at Liverpool, where he had the freedom to drift inside and dictate play, Barcelona
4:44
used him in multiple roles. Sometimes he played in midfield, sometimes on the wing
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But he couldn't even come close to replacing Neymar. His confidence began to dip, and by his second full season, he looked like a shadow of his
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former self. The hefty price tag didn't help with pressure and expectations
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The fans grew frustrated with his lack of impact. He was booed by his own supporters and by 2019, Barcelona had seen enough
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They sent him on loan to Germany. In Germany, Coutinho had a fresh start
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He was no longer carrying the weight of being Barcelona's record signing. Bayern played him in his preferred position behind the striker and he delivered some strong performances, including a hat-trick in the Bundesliga
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But the most ironic moment came in the Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona
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Bayern demolished Messi's Barca 8-2 that day. The salt in the wound was delivered by Coutinho as he came off the bench to score twice and provide an assist
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The player Barcelona had discarded was now embarrassing them on the biggest stage
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But despite these flashes of brilliance, Bayern chose not to sign him permanently
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The club's sporting director admitted he was a talented player but didn't fit into their long-term plans
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Coutinho returned to Barcelona in 2020, but the club was now in a huge crisis
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Messi's future was uncertain, the squad was aging and financially, they were in a giant mess
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Injuries plagued his return and he spent most of the season either on the bench or sideline
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By January 2022, he was loaned out again, a Premier League homecoming with Aston Villa
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When Coutinho joined Villa on loan in January 2022, many saw it as his last chance to reignite his career in Europe The move also had a nostalgic feel to it His former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard was the manager He believed he could help Coutinho regain his confidence and get him back to his past best He made an instant impact On his debut
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he came off the bench to inspire a comeback against Manchester United, scoring a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw. Over the next few weeks, he produced glimpses of his old
6:55
magic, scoring and assisting regularly. Villa fans were hopeful that the playmaker could maintain
7:00
his form. By the end of the season, Villa made his loan permanent for a cut price fee of £17
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million. It seemed like a bargain, but after a strong start, things quickly unraveled. His
7:12
performances became inconsistent and his influence faded. Whether it was a lack of confidence
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injuries, or the demands of Premier League football, Coutinho could not maintain his
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previous level of consistency. He was genuinely sad to watch once such an elite player being unable
7:27
to tap into his magical potential again. When Gerrard was sacked in October 2022
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Coutinho lost his biggest supporter at the club. Under new manager Unai Emery, he was no longer a regular starter
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The Brazilian finished the 2022-23 season with just one goal and zero assists in 20 league appearances
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His time in England was coming to an end. By the summer of 2023, it was clear that Coutinho had no future at Villa
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European clubs showed little interest in signing him, which was a stark contrast to the days where he was one of the most talented playmakers in the world
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Eventually, he agreed to a loan move to Qatari side Al Duhayu
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It was a surprising decision, as many expected him to return to Brazil
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or try to rebuild his career in a mid-table European club. Instead, he chose financial security over competition at the highest level
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His stint in Qatar did not make many headlines. He had some decent performances, but was unrecognizably far from the player he used to be
8:25
In the 2024 summer window, he moved to his boyhood club in Brazil, Vasco de Gama
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At 32 years of age, Coutinho's career in top-level European football seems to be over
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His contract with Villa expires in the summer of 2026. Is it possible that Emery might cook up a plan in his last year of contract
8:48
The dramatic fall of Coutinho is one of football's great mysteries. How did a player who was once one of the best attacking midfielders in the world become unwanted in Europe so quickly
8:59
There is no single answer, but several factors contributed to his downfall
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The most obvious and likely fatal one was the Barcelona move. Coutinho was never the right player for Barcelona
9:11
He was signed to replace Neymar, but their playing styles were completely different
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Neymar was a direct winger who thrived in one-on-one situations, while Coutinho was a playmaker
9:21
who needed space to operate in central areas. At Liverpool, he was given the freedom to roam and dictate play
9:28
At Barcelona, he was often pushed out wide or forced into a midfield role where he could not truly express himself
9:34
The price tag played its role as well. His confidence took a massive hit
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and once the fans turned on him, there was no way back. Another major factor was injuries and fitness issues
9:44
Coutinho never had a history of serious injuries at Liverpool, but after moving to Barcelona
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he began to struggle with fitness problems Knee issues sidelined him for long periods and even when he was fit he lacked the sharpness that once defined his game His agility and quick bursts of acceleration which made him so dangerous in his prime started to fade Without
10:04
those traits he became quite dull and ineffective. Both of those led to some
10:08
major psychological and confidence problems. Football is as much a mental game as it is physical. Coutinho was always a confident player. When he was at
10:17
his best, he played with swagger. But once things started going wrong at Barcelona, he seemed to
10:23
lose that belief in himself. Being publicly criticized and benched at Barca clearly affected
10:28
his mindset. The pressure of being their most expensive signing also weighed on him. Even during
10:33
his later years in Aston Villa, he looked hesitant to take risks, something that was never an issue
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at Liverpool. But maybe the most upsetting factor was the changing tactical landscape and Contino's
10:44
role becoming an endangered one. A classic number 10 has become less relevant in modern football
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and it's a shame from the fans' perspective. Coutinho was never great defensively
10:54
and he wasn't fast enough to be an elite winger. This meant that many top clubs
10:59
simply did not have a place for him in their tactical setup, despite his immense technical
11:04
qualities. Coutinho's career is one of unfulfilled potential. At his peak
11:13
he was one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the world, capable of moments to get you off your seat
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His long-range goals, quick feed, and ability to unlock defences made him a fan favourite at Liverpool
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However, his decision to leave for Barcelona, combined with injuries and tactical mismatches
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meant he never reached the heights expected of him. Instead of being remembered as a generational talent
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he is now seen as a cautionary tale. A player who had everything but one wrong career move ended his career
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For Liverpool fans, he will always be remembered for his dazzling performances and spectacular goals
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But for Barcelona fans, he will always be a disappointment. His legacy is complicated, but there is no denying that for a few years, he was truly special
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At 32, it is unlikely that Coutinho will ever return to the elite level of football
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Another lone move back to his boyhood club could give him a chance to enjoy the final years of his career playing in a less competitive environment
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There is also the possibility of a return to Europe with a mid-table club in Spain or Italy, maybe even England
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While the days of him playing for a top champions league club are most likely over, he might still have enough quality to make an impact in a less intense league
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But even if he never returns to the spotlight, Coutinho's story serves as a lesson for young players
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Talent alone is not enough to shine. Confidence and the right tactical fit are important as well
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His career remains one of the most confusing in modern football. How did a player with so much ability lose his way so quick
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Was it bad luck, bad choices, or simply a case of football evolving beyond him
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Whatever the reason, Coutinho's journey will always be remembered. Not just for the magic he once produced, but also for the mystery of how it all went downhill
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Why do you think Coutinho never worked out at Barcelona? Let us know below
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