Things have not gone all that well for Philippe Coutinho since he left Liverpool back in 2018.
Coutinho seemingly had the world at his feet when he moved from the Reds to join Barcelona for a monster fee.
On top of his game at Anfield at the time, the Brazilian looked all set to go on to have a huge career in the game.
However, while his Liverpool teammates went up several levels under Jurgen Klopp, Coutinho struggled to get going in Spain.
Although the 32-year-old has amassed an impressive trophy collection for Barca and while on-loan at Bayern Munich, Coutinho now finds himself having to rebuild a flailing career.
Philippe Coutinho completes Vasco da Gama move
In many ways, Coutinho’s exit was crucial in Liverpool’s evolution under Klopp. The money gained from his transfer allowed the Reds to go out and sign Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk.
Those two players have been absolutely key to everything Liverpool have won since and will go down as Liverpool legends once they eventually leave the club.
Nevertheless, there will always be a big feeling of ‘what if’ that follows Coutinho’s Liverpool story.
Had he stayed, perhaps FSG would have invested heavily in the first-team squad anyway. Maybe they could have won what they did alongside Coutinho as well.
As it is, while Alisson and Van Dijk continue to excel for the Reds, Coutinho has just completed a move back home to Brazil.
READ MORE: Dominic Solanke shares why Philippe Coutinho was the best player he saw at Liverpool
In a nice story, the attacking midfielder has returned to the club he came through at, Vasco da Gama, joining on-loan from Aston Villa.
Celebrating the transfer yesterday, Coutinho took to Instagram to post a brilliant video which documented his journey from Vasco, across Europe and the Middle East and then back to the place it all started for him.
“Gratitude, the continuation of dream. It doesn’t stop,” wrote the Brazil international.
Former Liverpool coach John Achterberg was one of those to react, writing “Good luck phil with the new club back home,” while Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes left two hearts in eyes emojis for his former Brazil teammate.
Will Philippe Coutinho come back to Europe?
Now 32, Coutinho should not really be at the stage of his career where he’s having to settle for seeing out his playing days in Brazil.
For the time being, a move back home could be exactly what the Little Magician needs. He can get his head straight after some disappointing seasons.
If he can do well at Vasco though, then maybe he can still show himself to be a good option for someone in Europe.
The Premier League level is now quite possibly beyond Coutinho after a season in Qatar and now another in Brazil. But there’s a chance for him to get in the national team if he performs and that could be a springboard back to Europe.
For now though, it’ll be nice to see Coutinho back where he’s loved and where’ he’s happy. Best of luck, Phil!
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