Philippe Coutinho has announced his departure from Vasco da Gama, the Brazilian club where he began his career. The 33-year-old midfielder revealed his decision on Wednesday, stating his cycle at the Rio de Janeiro-based side had ended. Per BBC Sport, Coutinho admitted that leaving the club hurts a lot but cited mental fatigue as a primary factor for his exit.
Coutinho returned to Vasco da Gama in July 2024 on a season-long loan from Aston Villa. He made 23 appearances and scored four goals during this second stint at the club. The former Liverpool and Barcelona player struggled with fitness issues and inconsistent form after returning to his homeland. According to Brazilian reports, he met with club officials to finalise the termination of his agreement.
He remains under contract with Premier League side Aston Villa until June 2026. The midfielder has not yet confirmed his future plans or whether he intends to continue playing professional football elsewhere. He leaves Vasco currently positioned in the middle of the Campeonato Brasileiro table.
