When Brazilian dynamo Philippe Coutinho burst onto the Liverpool scene back in 2013, little was known of the highly sought-after midfielder by the Anfield faithful. Four years later and, although the 24-year-old has proven himself as one of the division’s hottest talents, little more is really known about him.
It really is his no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to the game that renders Coutinho’s private life and humble beginnings an enigma to the average football fan.
Perhaps it’s time to look at the man behind the dizzy-dribbling and electric pace more closely. As testament to his shirt number for Liverpool, here are ten facts you didn’t know about Philippe Coutinho…
#1 He’s all about his family
Part of the reason Coutinho’s name isn’t plastered across the headlines for engaging in farcical off-field incidents is because his family tie him down.
Since early childhood, it was clear Coutinho had a talent for the game and over time he and his two older brothers developed the tradition of sitting down after games and assessing Coutinho’s performance – something they still do now.
When he was 20-years-old, the former-Inter Milan midfielder wed his wife Aine and they are still happily married now. When talking of her, he claimed, “we're from the same neighbourhood and so we just started seeing more and more of each other, going places together and it grew deeper and stronger.” Last year, the pair celebrated the birth of their first child together.
He himself has also previously claimed, “my family is the foundation of everything in my life” and the fact he has tattoos of his parents, brothers and wife proves that once more.
#2 He’s nicknamed the ‘Little Magician’
Regardless of the modesty Coutinho shows off the field, on it, he oozes with confidence and has morphed into one of the continent’s premier playmakers, able to play on the flank, behind the striker or as a lone-man himself.
Just shy of 5’ 8”, the Brazilian has a small frame which give him a low centre of gravity, making him more nimble, agile and effective in a crowded final third. The Liverpool fans fondly call their star No. 10 ‘Little Magician’ for his awareness, passing ability and flair.
His crackling combination of spatial awareness and speed has helped him ‘magic’ up five goals, five assists and 34 goal-scoring opportunities for the Merseysiders in the league so far this campaign.
#3 He has thrived under younger managers
Jürgen Klopp has undoubtedly injected Philippe Coutinho with yet more enthusiasm and energy, which many wouldn’t have deemed possible, but the German is one of the oldest managers to have worked with the Brazilian.
Coutinho was trained by a 37-year-old Andrea Stramaccioni in his time at the San Siro, a 40-year-old Mauricio Pochettino during his loan spell with Espanyol and Brendan Rogers of the same age, when he initially joined Liverpool. It is, of course, coincidental, but it has clearly done the 24-year-old the world of good, as he is now one of the most respected young figures in the game himself.
#4 His inspiration is Neymar
While Roberto Firmino is undoubtedly a close compatriot of Coutinho, given that the pair line-up together for the same club and country, it is believed that Philippe’s biggest inspiration is Barcelona frontman Neymar.
In a recent interview with FourFourTwo, Liverpool’s talismanic forward went as far as suggesting he had based his entire game around Neymar, “He’s our main idol in Brazilian football and someone young children look up to.”
Continuing, Coutinho stated, “He’s a close friend of mine and it’s great to have a team-mate the same age as me who I admire”.
We’ve seen it with Messi and Ronaldo and there’s no doubting that having a player to compare yourself with ultimately bolsters your work ethic and ability over time.
#5 The Four Amigos... and Disney?
Although chemistry throughout the entire squad is important, footballers will always have certain individuals they bond with better than others. In Phillipe Coutinho’s case, it’s Roberto Firmino who he outlined as his ‘best friend’ at the club.
“We have a good understanding,” Coutinho explains, “I really enjoy playing with Roberto and we are close friends. We both speak Portuguese. The two of us, plus Lucas and Alberto (Moreno), spend time together away from football.”
The three Brazilians and the Spaniard seem inseparable at times, regularly featured as a quartet during the team’s off time and, only in December were they all found meeting up at a Disney-themed children’s party with their respective families. It came not long after Coutinho himself had treated his wife and daughter Maria to see Disney on Ice at the Echo Arena – there certainly seems to be a pattern in what the Brazilian likes to do with his spare time.
#6 He was an early peaker
There has been promise in Coutinho from a very young age. When plying his trade in his home nation with Vasco da Gama, he captured the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs and he was eventually snapped up for €4 million by Inter Milan when he was just 16-years-old.
Coutinho would be loaned back to the Brazilian side for the next two years, where he would become a first team regular before making the permanent switch to Serie A. Coutinho got game time for his nation from as young as 14, playing for the Brazilian U15s and was rightfully predicted to be one of the world’s most dangerous attacking midfielders.
#7 It all began with Futsal
(Video Courtesy: Philipe Coutinho YouTube Channel)
Coutinho’s rise to footballing stardom began in the same way as many; he grew up bordering the Favela da Mangueira in Rio de Janeiro in a family that was operating with a shoestring budget.
That said, it was what was opposite where he lived which proved more iconic – a concrete football pitch. Coutinho marvelled at his older brothers playing football with their friends before taking to the pitch himself from as young as six-years-old.
He became obsessed with ‘Futsal’ – a version of the sport played on a smaller pitch, with smaller teams and a heavier ball, meaning Coutinho began developing brilliant ball control and balance from a very young age. One of his friend’s grandmothers would tell his dad to enter Coutinho into a local team and so Jose Carlos did. Vasco de Gama quickly came calling.
#8 There were many tears to begin with
It took a lot of effort to persuade Coutinho to attend trials with Vasco da Gama. When he turned up to the trial day, he claims to have been constantly crying, too shy to get involved. "I was new to the group, everyone knew each other so I was feeling a little uncomfortable and embarrassed,” he stated. Coutinho apparently went as far as clinging to his dad up in the stands whilst the other kids warmed up.
Nerves quickly translated to excitement though and Coutinho’s love of the game rapidly flourished. “After a short while and some motivation, I was fine. When I actually started to play, it was all normal and natural. I wasn't shy anymore, I was enjoying it.”
Nonetheless it shows once again that the little Brazilian is far from your average football ego and suffered from a shortage of confidence as a youngster. He’ll only need to reflect on his rampant Reds career to realise that he’s got a lot to feel good about.
#9 World Cup Winner... Kind of?
As well as having impressed domestically with Liverpool and on occasion with the Brazilian national team, Coutinho also sought success with his nation’s U20s team. Brazil lifted the U20s World Cup in Colombia in 2011, with Coutinho a regular starter.
The now 24-year-old contributed two goals to the team’s group stage campaign, before solidifying a place in midfield in the knockout rounds, supplying the ‘Player of the Tournament’ Henrique, with a host of chances as the tournament progressed. It’s certainly one of the lesser-known accolades which Coutinho boasts, but it’s equally as admirable.
#10 Christian Coutinho
All footballers draw inspiration from somewhere; an obsession with fitness, former footballing idols or, in Coutinho’s case, religion. Despite having gone back on his desire to not have tattoos, the midfielder still claims that he’s “not a nightclub goer” and he is also a teetotaller and a devout Christian.
Coutinho claimed at the time of signing for the Reds, “I don’t drink alcohol... I pursue happiness through other avenues. Shall we talk about how great it is to have God inside us?” Whether you yourself are religious or not, it’s refreshing to see a footballer so contented with live’s simple pleasures; Jurgen Klopp certainly won’t have to be worried about any concerning off-field antics from the Brazilian.
