---
title: "Ex-Brazil star: Coutinho should snub Barca"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/ex-brazil-star-coutinho-snub-barca/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ste Hoare"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-10-21T11:16:29Z"
modified: "2015-10-21T11:16:29Z"
---

# Ex-Brazil star: Coutinho should snub Barca

Former Brazilian international defender Lucio says that his “good friend” Philippe Coutinho should ignore any interest from Barcelona and continue his career at Liverpool.

Spanish newspaper [Sport](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/coutinho-objetivo-del-barca-4561827) claimed that the Catalonian giants wanted to bring in Coutinho as a replacement for Pedro, who joined Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

However, speaking to the [IBTimes](https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/philippe-coutinho-liverpool-star-should-snub-barcelona-approach-order-become-anfield-legend-says-1524867), Lucio said that he would advise Coutinho against making a move to Barcelona.

> If it was my decision, I would stay. If I was Coutinho, I would not leave Liverpool.

Having lost a lot of star players in the recent past, including Luis Suarez to Barca, Liverpool will be keen to keep hold of the 23-year-old Brazilian who was one of few bright sparks to emerge from a disappointing 2014-15 season.

Lucio, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, believes that by moving to the current Champions League holders, Coutinho’s career would suffer as he would only be a bit-part player whereas he is almost guaranteed to start every game at Liverpool.

![Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readliverpoolfc.com/readliverpoolfc/2015/10/6833591.jpg)

Lucio said:

> Barcelona have several star players like Messi, Suarez and Neymar. If Coutinho joins Barcelona, he has to play wherever the coach wants him to play, which would be to fill in here and there. In the last season, Coutinho was the standout player for Liverpool. He can continue there and can go on to become a very big player for them. Regarding his future, it is a decision only Coutinho could take, but as a friend I would suggest him to stay at Liverpool.

The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan defender also spoke about how Coutinho could develop as a player, and how he found adapting to playing football in Europe.

> One thing in Europe is they not only want you to be a good player, but a good athlete. Apart from footballing characteristics, one has to look after themselves and that is what managers and coaches insist on.

> Discipline is very important to become a top player. If a player has that, he will be successful wherever he is going to play. I am sure Coutinho will do well wherever he is going to play.