Before he became known as the Liverpool Wonderkid with mesmerizing skills and visionary passes, Philippe Coutinho was just a boy with a dream. Growing up in the shantytowns of Rocha, Rio de Janeiro, he faced numerous sacrifices in his quest to play in Europe’s most prestigious football arenas. This article tells the enchanting story of a playmaker affectionately nicknamed “O Mágico,” a journey that began when he watched his two older brothers, Cristiano and Leandro, and yearned to emulate them, despite being a shy child.
Behind the Magic: O Mágico and His Rise from Shantytown Dreams
We’ll delve deep into Coutinho’s roots, examining the influence of his family, especially his parents, Ze Carlos and Dona Esmeralda. We will break down the challenges he faced along the way and explore the personal life that has shaped him into both a player and a person. Join us as we uncover the making of “O Mágico,” a footballer beloved by many, whose life story is as captivating as his magical artistry on the pitch.
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 at this pitch he also conjured his magic.
This was where it all started for Philippe Coutinho.
Philippe Coutinho Biography – How he got into Football:
While he was at the young 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:
When he first approached the academy, He held onto his dad in the stands while he watched other kids warm up.
I was new to the group, and everyone already knew each other, so I felt a bit shy and uncomfortable,” he said. “But after some encouragement, I settled in. Once I started playing, everything felt normal and natural. The shyness disappeared, and I was just enjoying the game.
“I first thought to myself, ‘Okay, you can actually become a professional,’ when I was called up to the Brazil Under-14 squad,” Coutinho reveals. “Being selected from so many talented players showed me that this could be a real career—that I had the ability to make it. That’s when I realized I needed to start taking the game more seriously.”
Vasco da Gama is the club that raised Andrey Santos, who joined Chelsea in 2023.
Philippe Coutinho Nickname:
Back as a kid, Coutinho adopted the nickname ‘The Little Magician’ from 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.
Coutinho reflects on the challenges of standing out in football:
“Being unique isn’t easy. It’s tough to shine when millions are trying to do the same thing. In Brazil, football feels like a factory, always producing talent. You have to give everything because the competition is endless,”
he shared.
“It’s always on your mind that countless kids are trying to make it, but I realized early on that it wasn’t just about skill or technique. You need mental strength and determination to succeed. Most of the boys I grew up playing with didn’t make it to a professional level. People often think being a footballer is easy, but for me, it’s a grind that never stops.”
Philippe Coutinho Family Life:
Meet Philippe Coutinho’s parents. Now we know where he got his height from.
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, 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 their living standards thanks to their golden last-child, ‘Coutinho’ (who has no sister). His early familiarity in Brazil brought in lots of cash, which aided the good keep of his family.
For these family members, Philippe’s success remains the source of their joy.
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 recalls how Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers used a unique motivational approach during their pursuit of Premier League glory. Rodgers had letters from players’ mothers read aloud to inspire the team. Though Liverpool narrowly missed out on the title, finishing two points behind Manchester City, Coutinho shared how these messages deeply resonated with the players.
One such moment occurred just before their dominant victory over Manchester City at Anfield in April 2017. A letter from Coutinho’s own mother was read out, and the emotional boost seemed to work wonders. That day, the Brazilian scored a stunning winner, making it an unforgettable match for both him and the team.
The 22-year-old shared his emotional experience with CNN Sport: “I was so anxious for my turn, waiting for the manager to read the letter from my mum. I had been waiting for what felt like forever. The manager had spoken to the mums of every footballer on the team and had been reading a message before each game for months. Finally, my moment arrived.
At first, I didn’t realize the letter was from her. But then he mentioned her name, and I was completely overwhelmed. The letter said she loved me, was proud of me, was always with me, and missed 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.
Leandro Coutinho is Philippe Coutinho’s brother.
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.
This is Philippe Coutinho and his Wife, Aine.
Coutinho and Aine’s love story began in their childhood, growing from sweethearts into lifelong partners and best friends. Aine was just 17 when she left behind her family and everything she knew to join Coutinho in a new country, starting a new life by his side. At the age of 20, Coutinho, then a rising star with Inter Milan, married Aine, and they remain happily married to this day.
Aine is the centre of Coutinho’s world, his go-to person for both the highs and lows. On match days, her voice gives him encouragement and motivation; on any other day, she provides him with comfort and peace.
“Aine plays a huge part in my life, including everything I do,” Coutinho shares. He fondly recalls how they met at a party, where his shyness nearly got the better of him, but Aine asked if he could be her boyfriend—a question he gladly accepted.
Importance of Aine in Philippe’s Life:
Georgina Rodríguez and Antonela Roccuzzo, partners of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, are well-known for their supportive roles, much like Aine, who is a steadfast presence in Coutinho’s life. She attends almost every home game and as many away matches as she can. Whenever Coutinho scores, he makes it a point to acknowledge her, often blowing kisses in her direction—a heartfelt gesture symbolizing his gratitude for the sacrifices she has made and the unwavering support she provides.
It’s this love from Aine that has calmed Coutinho’s early insecurities. He admits that being deeply loved by her gives him strength and courage, which he carries with him onto the field. The couple shares both their sad and happy moments and their bond continues to strengthen as they navigate life’s challenges together.
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.
A strong work ethic has helped the 22-year-old succeed where others might have faltered. His move to Italy was a dream come true, as he explains, “For any young kid, it’s a dream because we grow up watching our idols play in Europe, and that’s where we want to be.”
But the journey wasn’t easy. Injuries and limited playing time often made full 90-minute appearances seem out of reach.
“Everything I went through in Italy shaped me,” Coutinho reflects. “I faced injuries, little game time, and things weren’t going my way, but it was a crucial period in my life. It was the toughest part of my career, being away from home for the first time and having to prove myself all over again.”
Young Coutinho during his Inter Milan days. It was a tough time for the youngster, filled with challenges, but it taught him resilience away from home.
By the time he turned 20, the young attacker had played in four different countries across two continents, immersing himself in a variety of cultures and playing styles.
He reflects, “The challenges I faced in Italy made it easier for me to adapt during my loan at Espanyol in Spain.”
Coutinho notes that in England, the speed and physicality of the game are significant factors to contend with. “I’ve always considered myself a quick thinker, but in the Premier League, you also need to react even faster. There’s no time or space given to you.”
He emphasizes, “I strive to learn from every place and situation, so there’s no doubt that these diverse experiences have shaped me into the player I am today.”
Looking back, his time at Inter feels like a distant memory.
Love from Liverpool Fans:
“It’s difficult to put into words what this means to me,” he admits. “It’s a unique and special feeling. Hearing the fans sing my name is simply incredible.”
He recalls his surprise at the connection he felt with the supporters at Anfield. “The first time I saw a flag with my face on it, I was truly shocked. I got goosebumps because I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
He adds, “It was such a cool surprise, and I want to express my gratitude to the fans for their effort, even going so far as to write ‘O Mágico’ in Portuguese.”
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.
Once upon a time, Coutinho and Neymar were inseparable.
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 look 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 not Mo Salah or Pedri, but 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.”
There was once a strong chemistry between Roberto Firmino and Coutinho.
Philippe Coutinho Religion:
Every footballer finds inspiration from different sources, whether it’s a commitment to fitness, past footballing legends, or, in the case of Coutinho, his faith as a Roman Catholic. Although he initially resisted getting tattoos, the midfielder still emphasizes that he doesn’t frequent nightclubs, abstains from alcohol, and holds a deep love for 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.
