Philippe Coutinho

The third and youngest son of Esmerelda Coutinho and architect José Carlos Correia, Coutinho was born on 12 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, weighing 3.1 kg (6 lbs 10 oz) as a newborn. He was raised in Rio's northern Rocha district between an old shanty town and industrial warehouses.

Coutinho flourished in Vasco da Gama's youth system and was soon called up to the Brazil under-15 football team. In July 2008, at age 16, he was purchased by Italian giants Inter Milan for €4 million. Coutinho remained at Vasco on loan for two years as FIFA prohibited international transfer of footballers until they reach age 18, and became a regular first team player despite his young age. In 2009, he helped Vasco win the Série B title and achieve promotion. In 2010, he made 31 appearances and scored 5 goals in all competitions as he established himself as a key first-team player.

Coutinho's move to Inter Milan became effective in July 2010, after he turned 18, with new manager Rafael Benítez and chairman Massimo Moratti being quoted saying, "Coutinho is the future of Inter."

On 27 August 2010, Coutinho made his official debut for Inter coming on as a substitute during the Nerazzurri's 2–0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. After dropping out of selection in the starting line-up, he returned to play in the crucial 3–2 win over Bayern Munich in Germany, due to which Inter would progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Coutinho made his first senior appearance in a Brazil shirt on 7 October 2010, starting in a friendly match against Iran. He was omitted from the final squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil by manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. On 19 August 2014, Coutinho was called up to the national squad by new Brazil manager Dunga for the friendly matches against Colombia and Ecuador in September, and played the final 25 minutes of the match against Ecuador. On 29 March 2015, he was selected to start in Brazil's 1–0 friendly victory over Chile in London. On 5 May 2015, Coutinho was included in Brazil's squad for the 2015 Copa América, and he scored his first international goal on 7 June during a 2–0 friendly win over Mexico at Allianz Parque.

On 8 May 2011, in a 3–1 win at home against Fiorentina, Coutinho scored his first goal for Inter from a free-kick that curled over the wall and into the net. His second goal for Inter came in a match against Cagliari on 19 November 2011, where Coutinho received a through-ball from teammate Ricky Álvarez and scored into the bottom left corner of the net to give Inter a 2–0 lead.

During the 2011–12 season, Coutinho struggled to establish himself in Inter's first team and on 30 January 2012, he joined La Liga club Espanyol on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut for the club on 4 February 2012 under manager Mauricio Pochettino, starting in a 3–3 draw with Athletic Bilbao. The following month, he scored his first goals for the Catalan side when he scored a brace in a 5–1 victory against Rayo Vallecano. He ultimately scored 5 goals in 16 appearances during his loan with Espanyol before returning to Inter at the end of the season.

On 26 January 2013, Premier League club Liverpool agreed an £8.5 million transfer fee with Inter Milan for Coutinho, pending a medical exam and a work permit from the Home Office. Southampton had also expressed an interest in Coutinho, who had played under Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino at Espanyol, but Coutinho said he would prefer to join Liverpool. On 30 January, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Coutinho on a long-term contract after he was successful in his work permit application, and was given the number 10 shirt. Former director of football at Liverpool Damien Comolli later revealed Liverpool had scouted and ultimately signed Coutinho following a recommendation by then-Inter Milan manager and former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, who described the Brazilian as "world class".

Coutinho made his Liverpool debut on 11 February 2013, replacing Stewart Downing in the 77th minute of a 2–0 defeat against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield. On 17 February, he scored his first goal for Liverpool on his full debut in a 5–0 victory over Swansea City. On 2 March, he set-up Liverpool's first and second goals in a 4–0 win over Wigan Athletic and followed on with a goal in a 3–1 away loss to Southampton and another assist in a 2–1 away win against Aston Villa. His form during the month saw him named as Liverpool's Player of the Month for March.

Coutinho began the 2013–14 season well before injuring his shoulder in a 2–2 match against Swansea City on 16 September 2013. He was restored to the starting line-up for the 4–0 victory over Fulham at Anfield on 9 November. On 23 November, Coutinho scored the opening goal against Everton in the Merseyside derby in the first minute of the game. Coutinho created his first assist of the season with a corner in the 5–1 thrashing of Norwich City at Anfield. On 26 December, he scored the Reds' only goal in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. On 30 March, Coutinho scored the third goal in a 4–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

On 13 April 2014, Coutinho scored the winning goal in the 78th minute in a 3–2 win against Manchester City. The result put Liverpool seven points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with four matches remaining. However, Manchester City had six matches remaining and went on to win the title, with Liverpool finishing second.

On 17 August 2014, Coutinho started in Liverpool's first match of the 2014–15 season, a 2–1 win against Southampton at Anfield. He created his first assist of the season in a 2–1 win against Swansea City in the fourth round of the League Cup, where he supplied the ball for Dejan Lovren to head the winning goal.

On 31 January 2015, Coutinho assisted both goals for Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge in a 2–0 win over West Ham United. On 3 February 2015, Coutinho signed a new long-term deal set to keep him at Liverpool until 2020. On 4 February, just one day after extending his contract, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 FA Cup fourth round match against Bolton Wanderers. On 22 February, he scored the opening goal in Liverpool's 2–0 victory over Southampton. In the next match, against Manchester City on 1 March, Coutinho scored the winning goal for Liverpool. He won the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for February.

On 9 August 2015, Coutinho scored the winning goal in the 86th minute with a bending 25-yard strike in Liverpool's first match of the Premier League season, a 1–0 victory away to Stoke City. One week later, when Liverpool won at home against AFC Bournemouth through Christian Benteke's goal, the Premier League later confirmed the goal should not have counted as Coutinho was offside when it was scored. On 29 August, Coutinho was sent-off in a 0–3 home defeat to West Ham United, being booked the first time for dissent and the second for a foul on Dimitri Payet. On 26 September, he assisted two goals in a 3–2 win over Aston Villa at Anfield. On 31 October, he scored his first Liverpool brace, scoring two long-range strikes to overturn a deficit and seal a 3–1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. On 21 November, Coutinho scored in a 4–1 victory over Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium, the first time he had scored in three consecutive Premier League matches. He also assisted Roberto Firmino's first goal for Liverpool.

On 5 January 2016, Coutinho suffered a hamstring injury in a 1–0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals, which ruled him out for five weeks. On 9 February, he returned to score a goal to make it 1–1 against West Ham United in the FA Cup, although Liverpool lost in extra time. On 28 February, in the 2016 League Cup Final, Coutinho scored an 83rd-minute equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Manchester City. However, in the subsequent penalty shootout, his "hesitant" attempt was one of three saved by victorious City goalkeeper Willy Caballero. On 17 March, Coutinho scored Liverpool's goal in a 1–1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, helping Liverpool to a 3–1 aggregate victory that saw them progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. On 14 April, he scored as Liverpool defeated Borussia Dortmund 4–3 in the second leg of their quarter-final. On 13 April, Coutinho was one of six players nominated for the 2016 PFA Young Player of the Year award. On 21 April, he scored the final goal of a 4–0 Merseyside derby win over Everton.

On 14 August 2016, Coutinho scored twice in Liverpool's Premier League season opener in a 4–3 win against Arsenal. His first goal was a curling 30-yard free kick to equalize at the end of the first half. He assisted Dejan Lovren's opener against Chelsea in an eventual 2–1 win. He also scored a goal and provided an assist against Hull City and was voted man of the match. After this match, he did not register any goals or assists for two games, but was very impressive with his performances against Manchester United and Swansea City. He was voted man of the match for three successive matches for Liverpool against West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Watford. After 11 league matches, Liverpool reached the top of the table for the first time since May 2014, with Coutinho having played an important role.

In May 2016, Coutinho was included by Dunga in Brazil's 23-man squad for the Copa América Centenario in the United States. On 8 June, in the second group match at the Camping World Stadium he scored a hat-trick in a 7–1 win against Haiti. Brazil did not advance past the group stage after losing 0–1 to Peru. On 28 March 2017, Coutinho scored in a 3–0 win against Paraguay that ensured Brazil's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.

In August 2017, Liverpool rejected a £72 million bid from Barcelona for Coutinho, prompting the player to submit a transfer request over email. Two more improved bids from Barcelona were rejected, leading Barça director Albert Soler to claim Liverpool wanted £183 million for Coutinho, which Liverpool denied. Coutinho made his first appearance of the season for Liverpool on 13 September 2017, coming on as a substitute for Emre Can in the 75th minute of a 2–2 draw against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League. He scored his first Premier League goal of the season on 23 September 2017 in a 3–2 victory at Leicester City.

Coutinho played what transpired to be his final match for Liverpool on 30 December 2017, featuring prominently in a 2–1 league win against Leicester City at Anfield. On 31 December, sportswear company Nike—Coutinho and Barcelona's sponsor—advertised Coutinho's image on the back of a Barcelona shirt, despite Coutinho still being a Liverpool player at the time. Coutinho was omitted from the Liverpool squad to face Burnley on New Year's Day with a minor thigh injury. He left Liverpool having registered 12 goals and 9 assists in 20 appearances for the club in 2017–18.

Two years later, various football commentators noted that Coutinho's transfer to Barcelona, was instrumental in providing the funds necessary, for Liverpool to purchase the transfer rights of both Virgil Van Dijk (from Southampton F.C. for £75 million, then a world-record transfer fee for a defender, in the 2018 January transfer window) and Alisson (from A.S. Roma for £66.9 million, then a world-record transfer fee for a goalkeeper, in the 2018 summer transfer window). Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson have both been identified as two of the most pivotal players in Liverpool's successes of winning the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League as well as the 2019-20 Premier League.

On 6 January 2018, Liverpool confirmed they had reached an agreement with La Liga club Barcelona for the transfer of Coutinho. His transfer fee was reported to be an initial £105 million, which could rise to £142 million with various clauses being met. During his medical, he was diagnosed with a thigh injury sustained a few days before joining Barcelona, ruling him out for three weeks.

He made his debut for Barcelona on 25 January 2018, in a 2–0 (2–1 on aggregate) win against his former club Espanyol in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for captain Andrés Iniesta. Assisted by his former Liverpool teammate Luis Suárez, Coutinho scored his first Barcelona goal on 8 February 2018 against Valencia in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals just four minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.

On 28 October 2018, Coutinho scored a curtain-raising goal, his first Clásico goal, in a 5–1 win against Real Madrid. He scored his first Champions League goal with Barcelona on 4 October 2018 in a 4–2 away win against Tottenham Hotspur. On 16 April 2019, Coutinho scored a stunning goal in a 3–0 win over Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-finals, then he celebrated by putting his fingers in his ears and closing his eyes in response to recent criticism from fans. Former Barcelona player Rivaldo commented on the incident, by saying: "It was not a good gesture. He scored a great goal, but it's never good to do something like that to the fans", then he added, "The supporters criticise him because they know he has to give more. I don't know what happened to him during the week, what he read in the newspapers or saw on television, but you have to keep working, think about the next game and score goals. If he scores everything will change and he will be a player for the club."

In May 2018, Coutinho was named in the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. On 17 June 2018, he scored in his FIFA World Cup debut with a curtain-raising, trademark right-footed curling shot from outside the penalty area into the corner of the goal in Brazil's 1–1 draw with Switzerland in their opening match at the World Cup. In the following match against Costa Rica on 22 June, he scored the opening goal in injury time of the second half and was named man of the match as Brazil won 2–0. On 6 July, he assisted Renato Augusto's goal in a 1–2 quarter-final defeat to Belgium as Brazil were eliminated from the World Cup.

In August 2018, Coutinho gained a Portuguese passport through his wife, no longer making him a non-EU player.

On 19 August 2019, Coutinho joined German club Bayern Munich on a season-long loan. Bayern paid a loan-fee of €8.5 million plus Coutinho's wages. Bayern reportedly have the option to sign Coutinho on a permanent contract in the summer of 2020 for €120 million. On 24 August 2019, Coutinho made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern in a 3–0 win at Schalke. Coutinho came on as a 57th minute substitute. On 21 September, Coutinho scored his first goal for Bayern in a 4–0 win against 1. FC Köln. Coutinho admitted in a press conference that he is happy at Bayern Munich and intends to stay there. On 14 December, Coutinho scored his first hat-trick for Bayern Munich, also assisting two goals, in a 6–1 win over SV Werder Bremen. On 14 August, Coutinho came on in the second half of their Champions League quarter-final match against his parent club Barcelona, assisting Robert Lewandowski in the 82nd minute for the 6th goal and scoring the last 2 goals at 85th and 89th minutes to complete the 8–2 routing. Later on, Coutinho came on as a substitute in the Champions League Final, in which Bayern Munich managed to win 1–0 over Paris Saint-Germain, to be their second treble of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League titles.

In May 2019, Coutinho was included in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América. He earned his 50th cap for his nation in the tournament's opening match on 14 June, and netted twice in a 3–0 win over Bolivia.

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.

When Coutinho moved to Italy at age 18 to join Inter Milan, he was joined there by his parents and then-girlfriend Ainê, whom he had first met at a friend's party. On moving to Espanyol, his parents returned to Brazil. He married Ainê in the summer of 2012 in Brazil. The couple have two daughters and a son to be born in 2020. He has tattoos stretching from his fingers to his biceps which form tributes to his parents, two brothers, and his wife Ainê.