Douglas Luiz backs Coutinho after Vasco exit, says a homegrown jewel was not valued

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·18 February 2026

Douglas Luiz backs Coutinho after Vasco exit, says a homegrown jewel was not valued

Douglas Luiz has publicly backed Philippe Coutinho after Vasco announced the midfielder’s departure on Wednesday.

The Aston Villa midfielder said in an Instagram post that he supported Coutinho, praising his career and character and wishing him well.

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He added that Coutinho had made the best choice, that no one knew better than him what he had sacrificed to return, and that a homegrown jewel had not been valued, calling the situation unbelievable.

The message, shared alongside Coutinho’s photo, carried a cryptic tone.

Coutinho and Douglas Luiz both emerged from Vasco’s academy. They were team-mates at Aston Villa in 2021 and 2022, and Douglas Luiz remains with the English club.

Source: Globo.com