After spending over one year out of the national team, Philippe Coutinho was back playing for Brazil in this international break, and his return was celebrated with a beautiful goal he scored in the 4-0 win over Paraguay last night.
The midfielder, who recently completed a move to Aston Villa, couldn’t hide the excitement with his comeback to the Seleção, and spoke to the local media about it.
“It’s always good to play with the support of the fans, like today. I missed that, it was very nice to play with our fans supporting. This is very important,” said Coutinho (via Globo Esporte).
“I’ve been getting a lot of beating, and that doesn’t change my essence, nor does the praise change. I know who I am, where I can get to and today I leave here very happy.”
“A long time off, I had a difficult, complicated injury. I was called up again, I came back again now, I played, I left at the beginning in the last game. The manager gave me another chance today, we won the game and I’m happy to score in this stadium and with all the Brazilian fans present.”
“I had a very difficult time, I was away from the pitch for nine months, I underwent three surgeries. There are times when you see the difficulty passing, but I had all the support of my family at all times. The CBF and all the staff, Dr Rodrigo and Fábio also provided all the help for my recovery. Today’s game doesn’t change anything, just like before, it doesn’t either. I want to keep working to evolve. This is a daily dispute. At clubs we have to do our best to be able to come back.”
Brazil, who guaranteed their place in the 2022 World Cup long ago, have had an impressive campaign with 39 points in 15 matches, and remain unbeaten in the qualifiers.
Despite the big competition for the wing positions, the Aston Villa player is one of the few players who can actually do the job as an advanced midfielder, and that’s where he should hold a spot in the team.
Now back with the Villans, the 29-year-old is set to prepare for their trip to Leeds, where they face the Whites next Wednesday.
