Phillipe Coutinho has announced he is leaving his first professional club, Vasco da Gama, citing mental exhaustion and the conclusion of his journey at the club. The 33-year-old midfielder shared his decision after being substituted at halftime during Vasco’s recent penalty shootout victory over Volta Redonda, when some fans expressed their displeasure by booing him.
Phillipe Coutinho has announced he is leaving his first professional club, Vasco da Gama, citing mental exhaustion and the conclusion of his journey at the club. The 33-year-old midfielder shared his decision after being substituted at halftime during Vasco’s recent penalty shootout victory over Volta Redonda, when some fans expressed their displeasure by booing him.
Coutinho chose not to return to the bench in the second half, instead leaving the stadium to focus on his mental well-being. In a heartfelt Instagram message, he explained that the experience made him realise his cycle at Vasco had reached its natural end.
He emphasized that his decision was not meant to show disrespect to fans, teammates, or the club. “I would never disrespect the fans, my teammates, and Vasco. I've never done that anywhere I've been. Those who know me know that,” he wrote.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona player added that he needed to prioritise his mental health and that now was the right moment to take a step back from the club he holds dear.
Coutinho began his football career at Vasco before moving to Inter Milan and then Liverpool in 2013. During his time at Liverpool, he scored 54 goals in 201 appearances, later earning a move to Barcelona for £142m in 2018. He also had spells at Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, and Al-Duhail before returning to Vasco in 2024.
Since his return, Coutinho has featured in 81 matches for Vasco, scoring 17 goals. He described his second stint at the club as one of the most important decisions in his career, noting his love for Vasco and its significance in his life.
“I chose to go back to Vasco because I love this club. I love everything that Vasco represents in my life,” Coutinho said. “Wearing this shirt was one of the most important choices I've ever made. And, in every training session, in every game, I gave my best. Always!”
Coutinho expressed deep gratitude for his time at Vasco and vowed to carry the club in his heart throughout his life. “It hurts a lot. The truth is that I'm very tired mentally. With a tight heart, I understand that now is the time to take a step back and end this cycle in Vasco. I'm grateful for everything I've lived here. I'll take Vasco with me forever. In the chest. In history. In life,” he added.
Although Vasco has not officially confirmed his exit, BBC Sport has contacted the club for comment regarding the situation.
