LifeBogger presents the Full Story of a Football Genius best known by the Nickname; ‘O Magico’.
Our Philippe Coutinho Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts brings you a complete account of notable events from his childhood time to date.
The analysis of the Brazilian and Liverpool Legendary Footballer involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him.
Undoubtedly, his no-nonsense and pragmatic approach to the game renders this Brazilian Legend’s private life and humble beginnings an enigma to fans.
Despite his accolades, we found that not many football lovers have read an in-depth version of Philippe Coutinho’s Biography. So without further ado, let’s Begin;
Philippe Coutinho Childhood Story – Early Life:
For Biography starters, Philippe Coutinho Correia was born on the 12th of June, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Ze Carlos Coutinho (father) and Dona Esmeralda Coutinho (mother).
Coutinho grew up in a family that operated on a low budget and also a low standard of living. He was a shy type as a kid.
Early on, Philippe would prefer to stay alone and cry all day when pushed to do something he had previously shied away from.
His journey to greatness began in the shantytowns of Rocha, in Rio de Janeiro. In fact, his home was close to the iconic Maracanã stadium, which was built in the shanty areas of Rio.
He liked the game as a little kid, but never took part. He could only watch people play football close to a concrete pitch at his home.
It was at this same concrete pitch he watched his two elder brothers, Cristiano and Leandro, challenge their friends. It was this pitch he also conjured his magic.
Philippe Coutinho Biography – How he got into Football:
While he was at the little age of six, Coutinho’s skills strengthened, to the surprise of many who didn’t believe a shy boy could be as good as he became.
At some point, his full family would leave home just to come witness to his expertise. It was the grandmother of a friend who urged his dad, Jose Carlos, to quickly enrol his son into any nearby local team instead of seeing raw talent being wasted.
The Journey:
“I was crying, and I didn’t want to play because I was shy,” Coutinho remembers. He still exhibited his shy tendencies and was afraid of Stage fright.
When he first approached the academy, He held onto his dad in the stands while he watched other kids warmed up.
“I was new to the group, everyone knew each other so I was feeling a little shy and uncomfortable. He said.
Philippe Coutinho Nickname:
Back as a kid, Coutinho adopted the nickname ‘The Little Magician’ by fans who were fond of describing him as the youngest dead-ball specialist in his hometown.
This is a nickname he had kept to date. A nickname that shaped him very quickly. His football growth potential was high.
In fact, it didn’t take long before Coutinho became one of Brazil’s premier playmakers while still very young.
He was able to play on the flank, behind the striker or as a lone-man himself. His awareness, passing ability and flair for the ball made him unique from other footballers.
According to Coutinho, “Being unique isn’t easy. It is very difficult to stand out from the rest when there are millions who are trying to do exactly the same.
It’s a shared feeling among boys in Brazil because football is like a factory,” he explained. “You have to give everything because there’s an endless supply of talent and the factory is always full.
It is constantly in the back of your mind that there are millions of kids trying to do the same thing.
But what I knew is it wasn’t just about the skill or the technique, you have to be really strong mentally and be very determined to make it.
Most of the youngsters I grew up playing with do not have a career in the game now. Sometimes people think it is easy to be a footballer. For me, it is hard work that never stops.”
Philippe Coutinho Family Life:
Starting off, Coutinho came from a struggling lower-middle class and a happy Brazilian family who once lived in an economically precarious situation.
Though they were not officially poor, but his family experienced limited economic opportunity for their last-born son. One major setback was low income, which at some point almost pushed them into poverty.
It was football which helped them to improve in their living standard thanks to their golden last-child ‘Coutinho’. His early familiarity in Brazil brought in lots of cash, which aided the good keep of his family.
How he saved his family from poverty:
In fact, as soon as Coutinho started making money, there was no longer issues of food and economic insecurity in his household.
It is pertinent to note that his father, Mr Ze Carlos Coutinho (on the left side of the picture above), is an anti-Barcelona fan.
He is the sole reason for his son’s decline to the Spanish giant, despite Neymar trying his hardest to convince the midfielder to join Barcelona.
About Philippe Coutinho’s Mother:
Dona Esmeralda Coutinho is Philippe Coutinho’s mum. The Brazilian forward has once revealed how Liverpool’s 2016/2017 title push was inspired by his mum.
Coutinho says manager Brendan Rodgers struck on an unusual motivational tactic of reading letters from mums as his side once charged towards Barclays Premier League glory during that season.
Liverpool ultimately fell just short, losing out to Manchester City by two points, but Coutinho has spoken of how the messages had a profound effect in the dressing room.
The message from Coutinho’s own mother was read out just before Liverpool’s thrashing of Manchester City at Anfield in April 2017. It was a game in which the Brazilian himself went on to score a superb winner.
The 22-year-old told CNN Sport: “I was so anxious for it to be my turn, for the manager to read the letter from my mum.
‘I waited and waited for it. The manager had spoken to the mothers of every player in the team, he’d been reading a message before every game for months, and finally, my turn had come.
At first, I didn’t know that the manager would be reading a letter from her, then he mentioned her name and I was really overwhelmed. It said she loved me, is proud of me, is always with me and missing me.”
Philippe Coutinho Brothers:
Coutinho has two older brothers named Leandro Coutinho and Christian Coutinho. Both elder brothers grazed football from their early childhood time.
Unlike their kid brother, they didn’t stand out from the crowd. They shifted their focus on the game and later became professional lawyers.
Philippe Coutinho Wife – Aine:
Part of the reason Coutinho’s name isn’t plastered across the headlines for engaging in any farcical off-field incidents is because his family has tied him down to a wife, long ago. Here is his Philippe Coutinho Love Story.
Coutinho and Aine were childhood sweethearts who evolved into life partners and each other’s best friends.
Aine was only 17 when she left all that she knew behind (including her family) to follow Coutinho to a new continent where she lived a new life.
When he was 20-years-old, the former-Inter Milan midfielder wedded his wife Aine, and they are still happily married as at the time of writing.
Love for Futsal:
Coutinho was at some point obsessed with ‘Futsal’ – a version of the sport played on a smaller pitch, with smaller teams and a heavier ball.
Futsal football at an early age made Coutinho develop the brilliant ball control he is being known for. WATCH HIM BELOW;
As a kid, his small frame gave him a low centre of gravity, making him more nimble, agile and effective with the ball.
As it happens with most Brazilians, he had grown special magic in his feet right from age 6. Aside from the magic that got, he also has an amazing work rate.
Love from Liverpool Fans:
Social Media Presence:
Coutinho has a significant presence online and on social media. The former Vasco da Gama man has his own official website.
He also has more than 150,000 followers of his Twitter account, an individual YouTube profile and 4.6 million followers on his Instagram.
A Close Friend with Neymar:
While Roberto Firmino is undoubtedly a close compatriot of Coutinho. Given that the pair lined up together as kids, it is believed that Philippe’s biggest inspiration in his early days is the frontman, Neymar.
In a recent interview with FourFourTwo, Liverpool’s talismanic forward went as far as suggesting he had based his entire game around Neymar,
“He’s our main idol in Brazilian football and someone young children looks up to.” Continuing, Coutinho stated,
“He’s a close friend of mine. And it’s great to have a team-mate, the same age as me. A man who I admire”.
From childhood friends as pictured below, both parties have grown to adults and have still maintained such friendship.
Philippe Coutinho Bio – The Chemistry with Roberto Firmino:
Although chemistry throughout the entire squad is important, footballers will always have certain individuals they bond with better than others.
In Phillipe Coutinho’s case, it’s Roberto Firmino who he outlined as his ‘best friend’ at the club.
“We have a good understanding,” Coutinho explains.
“I really enjoy playing with Roberto and we are close friends. We both speak Portuguese. The two of us, plus Lucas and Alberto (Moreno), spend time together away from football.”
Philippe Coutinho Religion:
All footballers draw inspiration from somewhere; an obsession with fitness, former footballing idols or, in Coutinho’s case, religion.
Despite having gone back on his desire to not have tattoos, the midfielder still claims that he’s “not a nightclub goer” doesn’t drink alcohol and above all, loves Jesus.
Coutinho claimed at the time of signing for the Reds, “I don’t drink alcohol… I pursue happiness through other avenues. Shall we talk about how great it is to have God inside us?”.
Whether you yourself are religious or not, it’s refreshing to see a footballer so contented with life’s simple pleasures. Jurgen Klopp certainly won’t have to be worried about any off-field antics from the Brazilian.
Hale Hendrix
Hi there! I am Hale Hendrix, a passionate football enthusiast and writer dedicated to uncovering the untold stories of footballers' childhood and biography. With a deep love for the beautiful game, I have spent countless hours researching and interviewing players to bring to light the lesser-known details of their lives.
I LOVE COUTINHO, AND HIS NICK #THE_LITTLE_MAGICIAN