Ex-Liverpool star quits boyhood club, says he’s ‘mentally tired’

2026-02-19 - 16:26

By Adegboyega Adeleye Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has announced he is leaving boyhood club Vasco da Gama because he is “tired mentally” and his “cycle at the club has ended.” According to the BBC, Coutinho refused to return to the bench for the second half of Vasco’s penalty shootout victory over Volta Redonda FC, later explaining that he chose to prioritise his mental health. The 33-year-old midfielder announced in a lengthy and emotional statement on Instagram following a difficult week in which he was substituted at half-time and booed by sections of supporters during Vasco’s penalty shootout victory over Volta Redonda FC. In a lengthy, emotional statement on Instagram, the 33-year-old says he is leaving Vasco because “now is the time to take step back”. “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,” he said. “At that moment, on the way to the locker room, I felt and realised that my cycle at the club had ended, and I didn’t come back to prioritise my mental health. “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.” Vasco have not confirmed Coutinho’s departure, having played 81 times and scored 17 goals for the club since rejoining for a second stint in 2024. He started his career at Vasco before joining Inter Milan and later moving to Liverpool in 2013. Coutinho scored 54 goals in 201 games for Liverpool before joining Barcelona for £142m in 2018. He later had stints at Bayern Munich, Aston Villa and Al-Duhail before returning to Vasco in 2024.