Philippe Coutinho returned to his childhood club in 2024 Vasco da Gama, but left the club after 81 games, saying he was “mentally tired”. – But apparently not so tired that he cannot sign for a new club, an act that could make it difficult to return and get a red carpet at the Estádio do Vasco da Gama in the future.
A transfer that was surprising for more reasons than the “betrayal” of his childhood club. Santos FC had a transfer ban due to a debt to Monaco, Philippe Coutinho is not exactly brimming with energy and desire to play and all the “trouble” has been completed for a short-term deal until the end of the year. – In addition, the 34-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder will earn less than what he earned at Casco da Gama.
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Santos welcomed the player on social media by posting an old photo of Coutinho and Neymar as teenagers, along with a new version of them recreating the pose in the gymnasium.
The club also posted a video of Coutinho walking into the dressing room where he gets a hug from Neymar and says “if it’s a dream, I don’t want to wake up”.
Neymar returned to Santos, his childhood team, in January last year, and this will be the first time the friends play together at club level.
Coutinho started his career at Vasco before moving to Inter Milan and later moving to Liverpool in 2013, where he scored 54 goals in 201 appearances before joining Barcelona for £142 million in 2018.
Later, he had spells at Bayern Munich, Aston Villa and Al-Duhail before returning to Vasco.
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Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, a former Liverpool and FC Barcelona player, is about to officially join Neymars Santos for the rest of the season, head coach Cuca confirmed on Saturday.
“Today he trained with us and participated in the team chat we filmed before training. He is already integrating and adapting to the group. He will help us and we will help him,” Cuca told TV Globo before Santos met Cruzeiro in the Brazilian championship.
Coutinho has not played since February last year, when he ended his contract with Vasco da Gama amid strong criticism for his performances for the historic club from Rio de Janeiro.
However, Santos has not yet officially announced the former Brazil international. The club is waiting for him to complete the medical examinations, although his arrival is already considered a settled matter in the squad.
Coutinho will only sign until the end of December. According to Brazilian media, Neymar’s representatives have played a key role in the negotiations with the player.
“Brother, we are very happy to have you here. Our team and our fans will embrace you, so you can be happy. Welcome to Santos,” the number 10 wrote on social media on Saturday.
His arrival follows the signings of midfielder Arthur Melo – another former Barcelona player – full-back Rodinei, winger Everton “Cebolinha” and attacking midfielder Lima.
Pelé’s former club has managed to complete these signings after sorting out a FIFA transfer ban as a result of a debt of approximately 12 million Brazilian reais – around $2,3 million or €2 million – owed to AS Monaco.
The sanction was resolved with financial support from NR Sports, the family company that manages Neymar’s career. The firm injected the necessary funds “immediately” in exchange for a series of commercial commitments.
On the pitch, the São Paulo club is enjoying strong form after spending months fighting close to the relegation places in the Brazilian championship.
Coutinho comes in to bolster an attack with “Gabigol” and Neymar as regular starters. Recently, however, “Ney” suffered a new muscle injury and is expected to be out for about two months.
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