Philippe Coutinho Cheekily Nutmegged The Referee Last Night

Not content with nutmegging opposition players on the pitch, Philippe Coutinho went ahead and nutmegged the referee last night.

Having returned to Barcelona following a treble-winning season on loan at Bayern Munich, the Brazilian was back in the starting XI last night in the 4-0 win over Villarreal.

Coutinho registered an assist for one of Ansu Fati's two goals as Ronald Koeman got off to an emphatic start in his first competitive game in charge.

But more importantly, he also sent the referee to the shop. The official was in the 28-year-old's way as he dribbled with the ball in the second half, so he decided to cheekily roll the ball through his legs before making a pass to a teammate.

Naturally, the unusual nutmeg garnered a whole lot of reaction online:

Despite scoring a brace for Bayern in the 8-2 Champions League quarter final demolition of his parent club in August, Coutinho has been welcomed back at the Nou Camp and handed the iconic No.14 shirt number - famously worn by the legendary Johan Cruyff.

He'd taken that number upon joining from Liverpool in a big-money move in 2018, before moving to the number seven shirt when Arda Turan departed.

Coutinho hadn't fully got going at Barca, hence his loan move away, but now looks to be given a new lease of life under Koeman.

Topics: Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Philippe Coutinho, La Liga

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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