Philippe Coutinho has confirmed his departure from boyhood club Vasco de Gama, citing that he is ‘mentally exhausted’ in an emotional statement on social media.
Coutinho, 33, re-joined the Brazilian side on a permanent deal last year, following a short-loan spell during his stint at Aston Villa, and seemed likely to extend his stay at the club.
However, the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder has been booed by his own fans in recent weeks, most recently during a penalty shootout victory over second division side Volta Redonda in the Campeonato Carioca quarter-finals.
Coutinho was substituted at half-time during the clash, and opted not to return to the bench to support his team-mates in the second half.
And now he has confirmed that he will no longer don the Vasco shirt, realising that it’s time to ‘step back’ from the club.
‘I thought long and hard before writing this. I really did,’ he wrote on Instagram. ‘But, out of respect, affection, and love that I have for you and for this club, I felt I needed to come here and speak from the heart.
Philippe Coutinho has confirmed he is to take a ‘step back from playing for Vasco de Gama
‘I chose to return to Vasco because I love this club. I love everything Vasco represents in my life. 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! There was never a lack of dedication, never a lack of will and commitment.
‘Being judged by countless people for something that isn’t part of my character is extremely difficult. I would never disrespect the fans, my teammates, or Vasco. I’ve never done that anywhere I’ve been. Anyone who knows me knows that.
‘At that moment, on my way to the locker room, I felt and realised that my time at the club was over, and I didn’t return to prioritise my mental health. That hurts a lot.’
Coutinho started life at Vasco strongly, scoring five goals and providing three assists in 26 appearances in all competitions during his initial loan spell, as they finished 13th in the Brasileirao Serie A.
This season, he has scored seven in 28 matches, a solid return that will see his contract termination rock the club.
‘The truth is, I’m very mentally exhausted,’ he continued. ‘I’ve always been very reserved, so saying this here isn’t easy, but I need to be honest.
‘My relationship with Vasco is one of love. And it will continue to be forever. With a heavy heart, I understand that now is the time to take a step back and end this chapter at Vasco.
‘I am grateful for everything I experienced here. I will carry Vasco with me forever. In my heart. In my history. In my life. From the bottom of my heart… Thank you for everything.’
Coutinho was booed by Vasco fans in his last game and has claimed he is ‘mentally exhausted’
Vasco are yet to make a statement on the departure of Coutinho.
The midfielder came through the club’s youth academy before being scouted by Serie A giants Inter Milan in 2008, returning on loan for a brief spell as a teenager.
He impressed at the San Siro as a youngster ahead of signing for Liverpool in 2013, where he spent another five years before moving to Barcelona in still one of the most expensive transfers of all time.
During his time at Anfield, Coutinho made 152 appearances for the Reds and netted 41 goals.
His sale fee enabled Liverpool to sign a handful of important players under Jurgen Klopp, including Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.
