Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho is the perfect fit for Barcelona: Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho has heaped praise on fellow Brazilian footballer Philippe Coutinho. The former Barcelona attacker even went on to say that the Liverpool star would be a perfect signing for his former club.
With Xavi leaving the Catalans and Iniesta entering his 30s, Barcelona would need a creative spark in midfield sooner rather than later. And the 35-year-old believes there is no one better than Liverpool’s player of the season to fill the void in the Barca midfield.
“Coutinho has been one of the best midfield players in Europe”
He said that despite Liverpool’s struggles, Coutinho’s had a fantastic season.
“Coutinho has had a fantastic season – he has been one of the best midfield players in Europe – and when you think he has been playing in a team that has not been performing well that is an even bigger achievement,” Ronaldinho said.
“I can’t speak for him and I can’t speak for Barcelona – but I know what Barcelona look for in a player and he has all those qualities.”
“Coutinho will win trophies and become a better player at Barcelona”
Xavi, 35, will leave the La Liga club after 17 years of service at the end of the season. Ronaldinho, who is currently playing for Mexican club Queretaro, said that Coutinho will become a better player by playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.
He opined, “After all those years at the club Xavi has left and Iniesta is now in his 30s – they will need to address that. That is why I think Barcelona and Coutinho would be the perfect fit.
“Playing with great players makes you better, I know that. Not only would he win trophies with Barcelona, but playing with Neymar, Messi, Suarez, Iniesta, is going to make him a better player.”
Coutinho signed a long-term deal with Liverpool this season and the Catalan club would need to part with a lot of money if they want to convince the Premier League club to allow the Brazilian to follow the move made by Uruguayan striker Suarez and midfielder Javier Mascherano.