Philippe Coutinho Leaves Vasco da Gama, Cites Mental Exhaustion

Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho has announced his departure from his boyhood club, Vasco da Gama, revealing that he is “mentally tired” and believes his time with the Brazilian side has run its course.

The 33-year-old midfielder made the emotional revelation in a lengthy Instagram post following a turbulent week.

The breaking point appeared to be a recent match against Volta Redonda FC, where Coutinho was substituted at half-time and subjected to boos from sections of the home crowd despite Vasco ultimately winning via penalty shootout.

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Following the substitution, Coutinho notably did not return to the bench for the second half, a decision he explained was made to protect his mental well-being.

“I would never disrespect the fans, my team-mates, and Vasco. I’ve never done that anywhere I’ve been. Those who know me know that,” Coutinho wrote.

“At that moment, on the way to the locker room, I felt and realized that my cycle at the club had ended, and I didn’t come back to prioritize my mental health.”

He openly shared the toll the situation had taken on him: “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.”

Coutinho began his professional football journey at Vasco before moving to Inter Milan as a teenager. He became a global household name during his stellar stint at Liverpool FC, where he netted 54 goals in 201 appearances, cementing his status as one of the Premier League’s most lethal playmakers.

This form earned him a staggering £142 million transfer to Barcelona in 2018. Following spells with Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, and Al-Duhail, the Brazilian international returned to Vasco in 2024 for a much-anticipated second stint. During his return, he made 81 appearances and scored 17 goals for the club.

Despite the abrupt end to his time at the club, Coutinho expressed deep affection for his roots.

“I chose to go back to Vasco because I love this club. I love everything that Vasco represents in my life. I’m grateful for everything I’ve lived here. I’ll take Vasco with me forever. In the chest. In history. In life,” he concluded.

Vasco da Gama has yet to release an official statement confirming the midfielder’s departure.