SUMMARY
- The relatively new MLS franchise has signed many iconic Barca players since signing Messi.
- Rumors of another former Barca player to inter Miami, Philippe Coutinho have taken the soccer world by storm.
Inter Miami has signed an embargo of former FC Barcelona players. Starting with their marquee signing of Lionel Messi in the summer of 2023, the relatively new MLS franchise has signed many iconic Barca players since then. Miami has signed the likes of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez is also set to join the club ahead of the 2024 MLS season. However, the rumors of another former Barca player to inter Miami, Philippe Coutinho have taken the soccer world by storm.
The 31-year-old is currently on loan at Al-Duhail in the Qatar Stars League from Premier League side Aston Villa. While Barca’s Sergi Roberto was heavily linked with Inter Miami, it seems that Coutinho eclipsed the Spaniard in the race to sign for the MLS outfit.
According to several reports, Coutinho might be heading to Inter Miami. 🦩❤️‍🔥🦩
âś…Messi
âś…Busquets
âś…Alba
âś…Suarez
⏳Coutinho? pic.twitter.com/b0Tn1GBCdh— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) January 9, 2024
Phillipe Coutinho joined Al-Duhail in the summer of 2023. After a promising start to life in England, the Brazilian’s career at Aston Villa plummeted badly. The 31-year-old could only give 9 goal contributions in 41 games for ‘The Villans.’
Even, at Aston Villa, Phillipe Coutinho might not be an assured starter. Spanish newspaper Diario AS (via Goal), reports that the Villa manager Unai Emery does not see the Brazilian in his plans. It is, therefore, likely that Coutinho might end up going on loan again.
This tricky situation would allow Inter Miami to pounce on the former Liverpool man. The David Beckham-led franchise is playing a smart business game by signing former FC Barcelona players. The club is trying to evoke nostalgia amongst soccer fans and use their emotions for commercial benefits. The signing of Phillipe Coutinho is an indication of this fact.
Philippe Coutinho has had a forgettable career since signing for FC Barcelona in 2018
The Brazilian joined the Catalan giants from Liverpool in the January 2018 transfer window. It would be safe to say that Coutinho’s career at FC Barcelona never took off. FC Barcelona paid ‘The Reds’ a whopping $ 134 million to secure his services. The 31-year-old was burdened by the expectations that came with his huge price tag.
Also, the presence of Lionel Messi in the team restricted the playing style of the Brazilian who plays a similar role to Messi. Barcelona consequentially loaned Philippe Coutinho out to Bundesliga giants, FC Bayern Munich.
Coutinho at Liverpool, more than a magician 🪄 https://t.co/TRhJSUkb0h
— 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙯 🧜🏽‍♂️ (@kayceeflowz) January 7, 2024
Even at FC Bayern Munich, he could not become a guaranteed starter for the team. The then coach Hansi Flick rather gave preference to Ivan Perisic and Leon Goretzka. Philippe Coutinho, despite winning the UEFA Champions League and a treble with the German team, had to go back to his parent club, FC Barcelona.
Fans saw the permanent move to Aston Villa in January 2022 as a revival for him, but that too didn’t work out for the Brazilian. It goes on to be seen if Phillipe Coutinho can rediscover his form at Inter Miami
