sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Philippe Coutinho's Response When Asked If He Wanted Lionel Messi's No.10 Shirt

Philippe Coutinho's Response When Asked If He Wanted Lionel Messi's No.10 Shirt

He is yet to receive a shirt number...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Philippe Coutinho was asked about potentially wearing the coveted No.10 shirt for Barcelona, but of course he played it down big-time.

In the hours leading up to Coutinho's £142 million transfer being announced, Lee Clayton from the Daily Mail was with him all the way on the journey, having been granted unprecedented access.

At one point, the conversation turned to the shirt number Coutinho desired at Barcelona, with someone asking about him wanting to wear the No.10 he wore with distinction at Liverpool.

Image: PA
Image: PA

As we know, some fella called Lionel Messi, said to be a bit decent at football, wears that iconic number at Barcelona.

So there was no chance whatsoever that Coutinho would take it - and he is well aware, showering praise on five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, who the Brazilian believes is the epitome of a number ten.

Images: PA
Images: PA

The section in the in-depth Daily Mail exclusive reads:

"The conversation turns to his shirt number. "All the numbers have been distributed," he is told.

"What about your favourite, 10?" someone asks.

"No! No! No! There is only one No 10 at Barcelona (Messi)," Coutinho replies with a wide smile. "He is the best player in the world, the ultimate No 10."

Too right, Philippe. The 25-year old wears the No.11 for Brazil but that is also taken, with Ousmane Dembele given the shirt formerly wore by Neymar before his world-record move to PSG, upon joining for Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

There's also been talk of Coutinho potentially assuming the No.7 shirt, a number he briefly wore at Inter Milan - but for that to happen, Arda Turan, heavily linked with an exit, would need to leave the club imminently.

Image: PA
Image: PA

So as it stands, he hasn't got an official squad number but we suspect we'll find out what number he will be wearing very soon, with Coutinho's official presentation scheduled to take place today.

What we do know, is that he has signed a deal until 2023 and his release clause has been set at a whopping €400 million.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho, Neymar, Lionel Messi