Few cases in recent years compare to that of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/philippe-coutinho/">Philippe Coutinho</a>. The Brazilian midfielder was a superstar at Liverpool when Barcelona paid a massive fee to sign him in 2018. From that point on, however, things gradually went downhill, to the extent that he lost his place with the Brazil national team. In that context, Major League Soccer has emerged as a possible destination amid rumors linking him to LA Galaxy.



In recent days, details surfaced about the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/riqui-puigs-replacement-at-la-galaxy-could-be-former-brazil-and-barcelona-star-amid-mental-health-struggles/">MLS team’s reported interest in signing Coutinho, whom they view as a potential replacement for Riqui Puig</a>. With the Spanish midfielder ruled out for the entire 2026 season after undergoing a second knee operation related to his 2024 injury, Philippe could represent a valuable addition.



However, there is another option under consideration. “The midfielder’s future prospects are either to go to an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mls/">MLS</a> team in the United States, or even announce his retirement,” ESPN recently reported.



At just 33 years old, the end of Coutinho’s career might seem surprising, but his recent decisions and comments offer insight into his current mindset. “The truth is that I’m very mentally exhausted. I’ve always been very reserved, so saying this here isn’t easy, but I need to be honest,” the midfielder wrote on social media earlier this year after deciding to leave Vasco da Gama.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/22165606/Philippe-Coutinho-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-586142" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Philippe Coutinho playing for Barcelona.</figcaption></figure>



“With a heavy heart, I understand that now is the time to take a step back and end this cycle at Vasco,” he added in the same post. “My relationship with Vasco is one of love. And it will continue to be forever.”


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<h2>Coutinho has another offer, though less appealing</h2>



Coutinho’s sudden departure from Vasco da Gama drew interest from several clubs intrigued by the talent of the 33-year-old. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/la-galaxy/">LA Galaxy</a> appear to be an attractive option as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2025 MLS season, but there are other alternatives.



“Coutinho has received an inquiry from Russian club CSKA Moscow,” ESPN reported. However, the chances of that move materializing appear slim. “A source close to the player, however, told ESPN Brasil they would be surprised if Coutinho accepted an offer from Russian football,” the report added.


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<h2>The decline of Coutinho’s career</h2>



The nearly $180 million Barcelona paid Liverpool for Coutinho in 2018 now feels like a distant memory. Over the years, the midfielder’s performances steadily declined, and his career has been marked by frequent club changes.



In 2019, Coutinho was loaned to Bayern Munich before returning to Barcelona a year later. Aston Villa became his next destination, where he spent just over a year and a half with limited success. He then moved to Al Duhail in Qatar before completing a long-anticipated return to Vasco da Gama in 2024.



Despite the excitement surrounding that move, things did not go as planned. In January of this year, the midfielder negotiated an early termination of his contract to become a free agent and determine the next step in his professional career.

LA Galaxy or retirement? Brazil star Coutinho reportedly weighing career end amid MLS rumors

LA Galaxy or retirement? Brazil star Coutinho reportedly weighing career end amid MLS rumors - World Soccer Talk

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The 2026 Major League Soccer season is about to begin, but some clubs are still searching for players to finalize their rosters. That is the case for Los Angeles Galaxy, who will be without <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/riqui-puig/">Riqui Puig</a> this year due to a serious injury. In his place, they could add a midfielder who previously played for Barcelona and the Brazil national team.



According to Diario AS, Philippe Coutinho is being considered as a potential signing for this season by LA Galaxy after his recent departure from Vasco da Gama. “The 33-year-old midfielder reached an agreement with the Brazilian club and is now a free agent, sparking interest from several teams, including Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy,” the report states.



“LA Galaxy have not yet submitted a formal offer, but sources say the club is interested and a move could be discussed soon,” AS adds. In that sense, the California club has considerable time to advance negotiations, given that the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mls/">MLS</a> transfer window does not close until March 26.



However, to complete Coutinho’s signing, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/la-galaxy/">LA Galaxy</a> will first need to address an important issue: they must free up or acquire an international player slot in order to register the Brazilian star. The cost to purchase an additional slot is reportedly around $500,000.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/22165606/Philippe-Coutinho-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-586142" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Philippe Coutinho playing for Barcelona.</figcaption></figure>



Additionally, even if the deal goes through, Philippe Coutinho would not be eligible as a Designated Player. LA Galaxy’s three DP slots are already filled by Joao Klauss, Gabriel Pec, and Joseph Paintsil. Riqui Puig was removed from that list since he will not be ready to return to the field this season, still recovering from a second knee surgery after an ACL injury suffered in late 2024.


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<h2>Coutinho could be a top-level addition in MLS</h2>



Philippe Coutinho has extensive experience at the elite level of soccer and could be an interesting addition to MLS. He shined for years at Liverpool until Barcelona paid more than $150 million for him in 2018, one of the most expensive transfers in soccer history. At the time, he was also a key player for the Brazil national team, appearing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and three Copa America tournaments.



However, Coutinho’s star status gradually diminished over the years. He arrived in Spain tasked with replacing Neymar, who had moved to Paris Saint-Germain, but he never met expectations and spent the following years at various clubs—Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, and Al Duhail in Qatar—without ever fully settling in.



<h2>Coutinho’s current struggles</h2>



After moving between leagues around the world for years, Coutinho returned home in 2024 and joined Vasco da Gama, where he registered 80 appearances and 17 goals until early this year. However, last week the midfielder left the Brazilian club as a free agent.



He explained that the decision was due to the distress caused by criticism from Vasco da Gama fans, who were dissatisfied with his performance. “Being judged by countless people for something that is not part of my character is extremely difficult. I would never disrespect the fans, my teammates, or Vasco. I have never done that anywhere I’ve been,” he wrote on social media.



Finally, Coutinho clarified his main concern at the moment: “I felt and realized that my cycle at the club had ended, and I returned home to prioritize my mental health. That hurts a lot. The truth is, I am very mentally exhausted.”

Riqui Puig’s replacement at LA Galaxy could be former Brazil and Barcelona star amid mental health struggles

Riqui Puig’s replacement at LA Galaxy could be former Brazil and Barcelona star amid mental health struggles - World Soccer Talk

The end of Philippe Coutinho’s tenure at Aston Villa seems imminent. Thus, he may make a triumphant return to Vasco da Gama, the club he played for as a youngster. Villa have a contract with the Brazilian playmaker until 2026.



However, he is allegedly trying to get out of it early since he isn’t in manager Unai Emery’s long-term plans. The Spaniard has guided the Villa Park outfit to a first-ever <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> berth with an unprecedented fourth-place finish in the Premier League.



He has made several changes to his team to improve it while still adhering to the Profit and Sustainability regulations. Thus, players with high salary demands, like Coutinho, may have to leave as a result of this fiscal restraint.



<h2>Where next for Coutinho?</h2>



Coutinho has seen a series of ups and downs throughout his career. He joined Inter from Brazil in 2008 but really came into his own at Liverpool. At Anfield, he was hailed as a Premier League genius.



His lavish transfer to Barcelona in 2018 fell flat, therefore four years later, he returned to England with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/aston-villa-tv-schedule/">Aston Villa</a>. Coutinho had a bright start, but his form declined. As a result, he was no longer in Emery’s plans by the beginning of 2023.



Villa will now get the 31-year-old back after spending the season on loan to Qatari club Al Duhail because they didn’t want to renew his contract. Thus, a summer departure is inevitable given the lack of opportunities at Villa.



Negotiations with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/supporter-groups-rebel-against-multi-club-ownership/">Vasco da Gama</a> are moving along swimmingly; the Brazilian club is optimistic about re-signing Coutinho, according to <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1794526811667546201" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fabrizio Romano</a>. Coutinho played his first professional season with the Rio de Janeiro side, so a return there would be like going home.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="442" height="483" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240526_WST_509173_image-45_eec5db0f.webp&amp;width=442&amp;height=483" alt="" class="wp-image-509191" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/image-45.png 442w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/image-45-275x300.png 275w" sizes="(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px"></figure><figcaption>Coutinho is unlikely to be an Aston Villa player for much longer</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Villa planning squad overhaul</h2>



Going back to Brazil may be the spark his career needs after a few rough seasons in Europe. In this possible move, both parties stand to gain. Coutinho gets a chance to reclaim his form in a familiar setting, while Villa gets to lower their salary cost.



Emery’s decision to cut ways with the veteran is in line with their long-term goals of stabilizing their finances and enhancing their roster. Coutinho will have a tough time finding a spot on the squad with players like Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendia, Jacob Ramsey, and Leon Bailey.



At the same time, the Englishmen will be able to bolster their roster in preparation for the Champions League campaign thanks to the funds from his departure.



The player is coordinating with all parties to cut relations with Villa, as he may leave the club in the first half of June, according to Brazilian reports. Supposedly, he is unable to go quickly to Vasco since he has not yet arranged the conditions of his departure.



After touching down in Brazil this weekend, Coutinho seemed to confirm his departure by speaking to waiting local journalists. <a href="https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-transfers-phillippe-coutinho-29238282" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">He allegedly said</a>, “Everyone already knows” what the summer has in store for him.



Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

Coutinho’s Villa exit looms as heartwarming move advances

Philippe Coutinho's time at Aston Villa appears to be nearing its end, with a potential return to his boyhood club on the horizon.

Coutinho’s Villa exit looms as heartwarming move advances - World Soccer Talk

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