Força Jovem do Vasco: Coutinho not welcome in Barreira, “Judas Couto” | OneFootball

Philippe Coutinho’s transfer to Santos triggered a strong wave of outrage in the Vasco stands. In the early hours of this Friday (11), Força Jovem do Vasco, the club’s main organized supporters’ group, released a scathing statement calling the midfielder “Judas Couto” and severing any ties of idolization with the 34-year-old player after his move to their Série A rival was confirmed.

In the post shared on social media, featuring a photo montage alluding to the biblical betrayal, the supporters’ group recalled the reception fit for a major idol when he returned to Brazilian football in 2024. The text pointed out that Vasco’s board paid estimated monthly wages of R$ 1.8 million and met private behind-the-scenes demands, even making possible the signing of two friends and former players – Souza and Alex Teixeira – to join the squad at São Januário.

+ Former Vasco player, Coutinho gives the green light and moves closer to Santos

End of an era and ban at São Januário

The supporters’ leadership stated bluntly that Philippe Coutinho’s time at Vasco is definitively over and declared that the playmaker is no longer welcome on club premises. The statement stressed that, even considering the seriousness of any health issues allegedly involved at the time of the amicable termination, the fans have every right to express deep disappointment with the stance taken by someone who received patience, celebration, and total backing from the crowd.

In unequivocal terms, the document said that all themed material, visual tributes, or references to the player will be immediately removed from the supporters’ group’s social venues and official channels. The group argued that the status of a historical icon is not built solely on technical talent, but also on commitment, institutional respect, and mutual regard for the fans who embraced him.

Fan reaction and Vasco’s stance

The end of the statement emphasized that Vasco’s century-old greatness is sovereign and stands above Philippe Coutinho’s individual spell or that of any passing figure. The fiery statement reflects the frustration felt by a large share of supporters, shocked by the bitter ending to a repatriation project that had been treated as the emotional high point of the season.

While the football department focuses on the decisive stretch of the Copa do Brasil semifinals, the internal atmosphere is absorbing the fallout of a bitter split with the stands that replaced celebration with resentment among Vasco supporters.

Coutinho tarnishes his image with the fans – Photo: Thiago Ribeiro/AGIF

See Força Jovem do Vasco’s full statement:

“Judas Couto” returned to the club surrounded by expectation, celebration, and the treatment of a great idol. According to widely reported figures, he was earning around R$ 1.8 million per month, in addition to having his arrival accompanied by the signing of two friends, former football players, further increasing Vasco’s investment in this project.

The club opened its doors. The fans embraced him. There was celebration, support, patience, and backing.

In the end, the return that should have been marked by identification and gratitude ends in a completely different way from what many Vasco fans imagined.

If health problems were decisive in his departure, that deserves to be treated with the seriousness it requires. But one thing does not cancel out the other: Força Jovem and all Vasco fans have every right to evaluate this spell, the attitude, and the outcome of this story and express their deep disappointment.

For us, this cycle is definitively over.

Coutinho no longer represents what we want to celebrate within our institution. For this reason, all material, tributes, or references to him in Força Jovem’s spaces and channels will be removed.

There is no room for a middle ground: he is no longer welcome at Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama.

Idols are built not only by talent or by where they started. They are built through identification, respect, commitment, and the way they treat the institution and the fans who embraced them.

The story goes on. Vasco will continue to be far greater than any player, executive, or passing figure.

Vasco for love, Força Jovem for an ideal.

#VascoDaGama 💢 #ForçaJovemVasco

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Força Jovem do Vasco (@forcajovemvasco)

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.