Philippe Coutinho

Read his statement: Coutinho: “First goal in Europe. I’ll get better”

“I’m happy, the team is doing well and we’re improving every day. Hopefully we’ll be in good shape come the start of the season. The coach talks to all of us, I’m trying to help out more when we’re not in possession and in attack. I feel good and I’m delighted, thanks Inter.”

“I’m happy I’m here and part of this group and I want to grow with them. Had I thought of going on loan again this season? I just concentrate on playing. It’s not my place to talk about things like that. I’m here at Inter and I’m planning to do my best for the Nerazzurri.”

Inter-owned Philippe Coutinho has admitted that he would be interested in staying at Espanyol after his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

The 19-year-old Brazilian has been impressive since his January move to the Cornella-El Prat, and has now stated that he has relished the chance to impress on a regular basis.

“Here I have chances to play and the opportunity to do things,” the teenager said according to Marca. “I don’t know if it’s better here for me or in Serie A, but we’ll see over time.

“I have been very well received and I feel happy when I get the support of the people. I am very happy, and I always try to do my best and help the team.”

Espanyol have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League, and Coutinho maintains that finishing in the top four is the main objective.

“The Champions League is the goal of both myself, and the squad. I want to achieve the absolute maximum.”

Coutinho has scored four goals in nine Primera Division appearances for Espanyol since his arrival in January.

Buy Inter Milan tickets and watch him next season if he rejoins the Italian club.

First goal in Serie A for Philippe, great goal against Fiorentina (3-1 for Inter) today from free-kick.

Brazil’s soccer is arguably no better country in the nation that pushes out good, young players. The next in a long line of starlets could be Inter Milan’s Philippe Coutinho, who followed a list of greats to Europe, and he’s one to keep your eye on.

The last young Brazilian to earn this much attention is also based in Milan, as A.C. Milan picked up Alexandre Pato in 2007 as a 17-year-old. Inter felt they had to go out and match their city rivals, with whom they share the San Siro, and bought Pato in 2008 as a 16-year-old, but they allowed him to stay in Brazil to play with Vasco da Gama. Since then, Coutinho has been brought along slowly, making seven starts and four substitute appearances for the club. He has yet to score a goal for Inter, but he has notched a couple of assists and has shown glimpses of the talent that made him so coveted by the club. Coutinho is an attacking midfielder who can use either foot, and it’s likely he will be used as a second striker at points in his career as well.

This can only bode well for Brazil, who will host the World Cup in 2014 and are looking to add to their record of five wins in the world’s greatest tournament. Coutinho scored three goals in five matches for the Under-17 side, and made his first senior appearance in a friendly against Iran in October. By 2014, Coutinho should be playing solid minutes for Inter (or some European club) and if he is, Pato and Coutinho could be the leading forces behind Brazil’s World Cup run.

Inter starlet Philippe Coutinho has been named in Mano Menezes latest Brazil squad along with Lazio’s new signing Hernanes.

Coutinho has been exceptional in pre-season, shining in Inter’s friendly matches especially in the United States.

He is the only one of Inter’s Brazilians called up for the training camp to be held in Spain on September 2.

Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio have been overlooked again following the World Cup in South Africa.

Goal of Philippe Coutinho agains’t Panathinaikos:

Brazilian starlet Philippe Coutinho Correia was unveiled to the press after Monday morning’s training session at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti.

Rafael Benitez introduced the eighteen-year-old attacking midfielder as “a young player with lots of quality. He can be the future of the club and we expect him to do very well for us.”

Taking up the microphone, Coutinho spoke two sentences in Italian before replying to questions through an interpreter. “I am very happy to be here, I hope to lots of titles and give a lot of satisfaction to all the Inter fans,” he said.

“My position? I’m a midfielder. I like to play behind the strikers and attack, so yes, I’m a bit like Sneijder. My role models? Robinho and Kaka. The comparisons with Pato? It’s flattering, but we’re two different players. He’s a striker, I’m more a midfielder.”

Coutinho signed for Inter two years ago, remaining on loan at his former club Vasco da Gama until a month ago. “When I knew Inter were interested I was very excited,” he said. “It’s every Brazilian player’s dream to play for a big European team. When the deal went through, I couldn’t wait to start.

“Having the chance to play with Brazilian players like Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio is a dream come true. I used to see them on TV and now I will be training with them. Now I want to learn Italian quickly and settle down as quickly as possible. I’m a new face in Italian football so I have to show what I can do.

“The national team? It’s still a long way off. First I have to do well for Inter and play well in Serie A. But it is my dream to be called up to my national team.” (Source)

Philippe Coutinho will join the squad of Champions league winners on July.

His agent said he spoke with the people from Inter, and they didn’t mention loan. So it will be all decided when Rafa Benitez meet the squad.

He said: “I’m happy to join my favourite club. I will try to be like Adriano when he was in top form. My idols, Kaka and Dinho.”

He had too many members on social network Orkut, that he needed to shut it down: “Yes, my girldfriend was jealous because I had too many girls as fans (laugh).”