Star NP: Coutinho shines as Palmeiras beat Monte Roraima in the Copinha | OneFootball

Omnipresent on the field. The midfielder Coutinho, 19 years old, was the standout player for Palmeiras in the 4-2 victory over Monte Roraima-RR in the first round of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup. The number 5 and team captain was responsible for creating the main offensive plays for Verdão.

Despite a more discreet first half, matching Palmeiras' slower pace, Coutinho opened up in the second half. After the break, Palmeiras intensified the pressure and, just 11 minutes in, regained the lead after a 1-1 draw in the first half.

Coutinho was the key figure in Verdão's comeback in the final stage. With the opponent already tired, he distributed good passes and relieved the midfield. The number 5 helped with openings for Sorriso and Eduardo on the wings and, in the center, provided security for number 8 Fábio to step into the area – and even score the second goal. Although he is the first defensive midfielder in Lucas Andrade's team, he showed good ball control when necessary.

2025 Highlight

The owner of the number 5 jersey was one of the main names of the Sub-20 team throughout 2025, being an undisputed starter in the Brazilian Championship title campaign. Coutinho, who has had stints with the Brazilian Under-20 National Team and trained with Verdão's professional team, is one of the most experienced athletes in the group, seeking to win his first Copinha – in the Palmeiras squad, the only remaining titleholder from the competition is goalkeeper Aranha, a starter in the 2023 cup.

In December, still at the beginning of Palmeiras' preparation, Coutinho spoke with TV Palmeiras about the feeling of being one of the veterans in the squad.

At Palmeiras since 2021, Rafael Barbosa Coutinho is a left-footed and versatile midfielder. The 19-year-old player participated in 37 games this season, scoring four goals.

He was a starter for Brazil in all three matches of the Brazilian National Team in the Under-20 World Cup. Against Mexico, in the competition's debut, the Palmeiras midfielder scored a goal in the 2-2 draw.

Million-Euro Clause

He has a contract with Palmeiras until February 2027 – renewed in September – and a release clause: 60 million euros. Verdão holds 80% of the player's economic rights, who previously played for Grapiuna, from Bahia.

Palmeiras is in pursuit of their third Copinha title. The first trophy came in 2022, when the Academy's Youngsters thrashed Santos 4-0 in the final. The following year, the Alviverde became two-time champions by defeating América-MG 2-1 in the decision. In the next edition, Palestra will be part of Group 27, alongside Batalhão-TO, Monte Roraima-RR, and Remo, based in Barueri.

See Palmeiras' upcoming matches in the Copinha:

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