Former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho experienced a frightful interruption during an interview on Wednesday, as gunshots echoed in the background.
The unsettling incident occurred at Vasco da Gama’s Moacyr Barbosa Training Centre, where two other interviews were also abruptly halted due to the alarming sounds. Vasco’s own Nuno Moreira and goalkeeper Leo Jardim were also engaged in media duties when the gunfire erupted.
The training center is situated in the Cidade de Deus region of Rio de Janeiro, a location where the sound of gunshots often sparks fears of potential conflict. However, club staff have noted that such noises are not uncommon, owing to regular police operations in the area.
This might explain why Coutinho seemed unfazed by the situation, even managing a laugh before resuming his interview. Currently, Coutinho is contracted to Aston Villa, having made a permanent move from Barcelona in 2022 after a six-month loan stint.
However, his £17 million ($22.8 million) switch didn’t quite pan out as expected, with the 32-year-old making only two substitute appearances in the first half of last season. He spent the latter half of the campaign on loan at Al-Duhail in Qatar, where he managed eight goals and four assists in 23 matches.
It seems unlikely that Coutinho will don the Villa shirt again, having scored just six goals and provided three assists in 43 appearances for the Midlands club. The Brazilian is best known for his time at Liverpool, where he netted 54 goals and delivered 44 assists in 201 games.
Barcelona’s club-record £142M ($190M) signing from 2018, Coutinho, struggled with injuries and failed to meet the high expectations at Nou Camp during a challenging four-year stint.
Now back at Vasco where he started his senior career, Coutinho is relishing his return, following his initial loan from Vasco’s academy to Inter Milan in 2008. Vasco’s manager, Fabio Carille, has been tight-lipped on whether the side will aim to retain Coutinho alongside fellow former Premier League star Dimitri Payet beyond this season’s finale.
“We’ll wait. On the technical side, yes, but we have to look at the financial side and other things about the club,” explained Carille in March speaking about their prospects.
“We still have a few months. This hasn’t been discussed, but it’s better to wait and understand everything to do what’s best for everyone.”
With Aston Villa potentially securing another Champions League berth this weekend, Philippe Coutinho is not expected to be in Unai Emery’s future plans.
If a permanent exit materialises and Coutinho is struck off the payroll, this could give Villa a much-needed financial lift as they approach the summer transfer period.
