Philippe Coutinho Joins Neymar at Santos to Boost Brasileirao Push

Santos have added Philippe Coutinho to a squad already featuring Neymar, reuniting two Brazil internationals who rose through the country’s youth setup and later shared the stage at the 2018 World Cup. The 34-year-old arrives after leaving Vasco da Gama and gives Santos an experienced creative option as they attempt to improve on 10th place in the Brasileirao.

A reunion built on Brazil pedigree

Coutinho and Neymar have known each other since their national-team youth years, with both becoming leading figures of their generation before appearing together for Brazil in Russia in 2018. Their partnership at Santos brings two highly decorated players back into the Brazilian domestic game at an important point in the club’s campaign.

Santos will look to Coutinho’s experience in high-pressure league and European competition as they seek a stronger finish in the table. The midfielder joins following a period away from the game after his departure from Vasco, which he announced in February. At the time, Coutinho said he felt mentally exhausted and needed time away.

Career reset follows difficult Vasco return

The move also represents another attempt by Coutinho to regain momentum after an uneven recent spell. His return to Vasco had been made possible when Aston Villa and the Brazilian club reached an agreement to end his Villa Park contract a year before its scheduled 2026 expiry.

Although Vasco was the club where Coutinho began his career, the second spell did not deliver the revival he had hoped for. He nonetheless recorded 124 appearances in all competitions and scored 22 times for the club before becoming a free agent.

From Liverpool’s creator to European champion

Coutinho’s strongest club form came in England after he joined Liverpool from Inter in 2013. Under Brendan Rodgers and then Jürgen Klopp, he established himself as a central attacking figure, producing 54 goals and 44 assists over 201 matches for the Merseyside club.

That output led Barcelona to pay £142m for him in January 2018, a year after Neymar had left Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain. Coutinho won two La Liga titles in Spain, though his time there was affected by inconsistency and eventually included a loan to Bayern Munich.

His season in Germany brought the biggest trophy of his club career, with Bayern winning the Champions League in 2020. Coutinho came off the bench to score twice in Bayern’s 8-2 quarter-final win over Barcelona, his parent club at the time.

Key stages in Coutinho’s route to Santos

1. He developed through Brazil’s youth international ranks alongside Neymar and later played with him at the 2018 World Cup.
2. After joining Liverpool in 2013, he registered 54 goals and 44 assists in 201 games.
3. Barcelona signed him for £142m in January 2018, before a Champions League-winning loan campaign at Bayern Munich in 2020.
4. He returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa in January 2022, initially on loan, before completing a permanent move that summer.
5. Villa’s agreement with Vasco enabled an early return to Brazil, but Coutinho left Vasco in February and has now joined Santos.

What Santos gain from the signing

• A 34-year-old attacking midfielder with Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Champions League experience.
• A familiar connection with Neymar, forged in Brazil youth teams and maintained at senior international level.
• A player seeking a new start after stepping away following his Vasco departure.
• Additional creativity and big-match experience for a side currently 10th in the Brasileirao.

Career figures cited