Brazilian has had his contract terminated at his boyhood club for the sake of his “mental health”
Philippe Coutinho has announced his exit from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, confessing he is “very mentally exhausted” and needs to “take a step back”.
It comes after the club captain was booed off by the fans when he was substituted at half time against Volta Redonda on Sunday. Coutinho walked into the tunnel and did not return to the bench in the second half. Vasco won 3-2 in penalties.
The Brazilian, having played for Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, before a highly unsuccessful stint at Aston Villa, joined his boyhood club Vasco on loan last season, before making the move permanent last summer.
But the 33-year-old has been booed on several occasions by fans for poor performances, another marker of just how far his career has declined from its stratospheric heights in 2018 when he left Liverpool for Barcelona for an astonishing £142m, one of the most expensive sums paid for a player to date.
He won a trophy at Bayern but was not a success, later joining Villa and then Saudi Arabian side Al-Duhail on loan in 2023. After an unsuccessful spell there too, he returned to his boyhood club last year.
UM CRIA DA BARREIRA PARA SEMPRE! 👏💢 Coutinho nasceu e cresceu no Vasco. Saiu para brilhar na Europa, voltou e agora encerra mais uma passagem pelo Cruzmaltino. #FutebolBrasileiro pic.twitter.com/hYcQGVJBr3
— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) February 18, 2026
“I thought long and hard before writing this,” Coutinho said on Instagram. “I really did. But, out of respect, affection, and love for you and for this club, I felt I needed to come here and speak from the heart.
“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, but being judged by countless people for something that is not part of my character is extremely difficult. I would never disrespect the fans, my team-mates, or Vasco. I’ve never done that anywhere I’ve been. Those who know me know that.
“At that moment, on my way to the locker room [against Volta Redonda], I felt and realised that my time at the club had ended, and I didn’t return to prioritise my mental health.
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“This hurts a lot. The truth is, I’m very mentally exhausted. 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 cycle 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.”
