Philippe Coutinho Handed Iconic Shirt Number At Barcelona

No pressure, Philippe.

The brilliant Brazilian has finally completed his transfer to Barcelona. He joins the Camp Nou for a reported £142 million from Liverpool, penning a lucrative five-and-a-half-year contract.

While Coutinho will have to wait for his Barcelona debut, the club have handed over his shirt number.

And it's a legendary, and iconic, shirt.

Coutinho will wear the No.14 shirt previously worn by Dutch hero Johan Cruff, and more recently Thierry Henry.

It also means Javier Mascherano is pretty much off. The Argentine was in possession of the shirt until now, of course.

He's been heavily linked with a move to the money-rich Chinese Super League, and even a return to Liverpool.

_{Coutinho holds up his shirt during a presentation. Images: PA}

Though the Barcelona faithfuls will have to wait to see him in action. Coutinho is set to be sidelined for 'around 3 weeks' as he nurses a thigh injury.

Meanwhile, Coutinho, who donned the No.10 shirt at Liverpool, was asked whether he would have the same number at Barcelona currently occupied by Lionel Messi.

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

_{More Coutinho during his unveiling. Images: PA}

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

"No! No! No! There is only one No 10 at Barcelona (Messi). He is the best player in the world, the ultimate No 10," Coutinho replied.

Coutinho and 14, it is.

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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