Philippe Coutinho will replace Lionel Messi at Barcelona - Rivaldo
PHILIPPE COUTINHO will replace Lionel Messi as Barcelona’s talisman, reckons Barca legend Rivaldo.
Philippe Coutinho joined Barcelona on Monday
Coutinho, 25, is five years Messi’s junior and arrived at Barcelona yesterday after completing his transfer from Liverpool.
The Brazilian has become the second-most expensive player in the world, with Liverpool banking £142m for the ex-Inter Milan star.
Barcelona pursued Coutinho for almost a year and failed to sign him as a replacement for Neymar in the summer.
But now they have their man and Rivaldo reckons Coutinho is the natural successor to club superstar Messi.
"We all know that Messi is the big star,” Rivaldo said
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Lionel Messi is already the big superstar at Barcelona
GETTY
Rivaldo used to be the main man at Barcelona
“And he still has three or four more years at the highest level.
“So Coutinho will have time to adapt and demonstrate his true value in his shadow.
“It is always better to arrive when a team is winning, and the current situation also eliminates part of the pressure that Coutinho could have if the team was not working so well.
“Let's not forget that he has become the most expensive signing in the history of Barcelona, which naturally exerts a pressure on his shoulders."
Messi recently signed a new contract at Barcelona to keep him at the club until 2021.
The club captain has won five Ballon d’Or awards since making his Barca debut back in 2004.
Coutinho, 25, is five years Messi’s junior and arrived at Barcelona yesterday after completing his transfer from Liverpool.
The Brazilian has become the second-most expensive player in the world, with Liverpool banking £142m for the ex-Inter Milan star.
Barcelona pursued Coutinho for almost a year and failed to sign him as a replacement for Neymar in the summer.
But now they have their man and Rivaldo reckons Coutinho is the natural successor to club superstar Messi.
"We all know that Messi is the big star,” Rivaldo said
GETTYGETTY
“And he still has three or four more years at the highest level.
“So Coutinho will have time to adapt and demonstrate his true value in his shadow.
“It is always better to arrive when a team is winning, and the current situation also eliminates part of the pressure that Coutinho could have if the team was not working so well.
“Let's not forget that he has become the most expensive signing in the history of Barcelona, which naturally exerts a pressure on his shoulders."
Messi recently signed a new contract at Barcelona to keep him at the club until 2021.
The club captain has won five Ballon d’Or awards since making his Barca debut back in 2004.
Philippe Coutinho will replace Lionel Messi at Barcelona - Rivaldo
Reviewed by Lyrical
on
January 09, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Lyrical
on
January 09, 2018
Rating:
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