Overview
- Santos officially announced on Monday that Philippe Coutinho has signed a contract running through December 2026 and was presented to the squad at CT Rei Pelé.
- Coach Cuca said Coutinho has joined video meetings and training sessions and is motivated, but the coaching staff will use the upcoming FIFA break for physical evaluations before any competitive debut.
- Neymar played a decisive recruitment role and posted a Saturday video from the club dressing room that announced Coutinho’s arrival before the club’s formal statement, surprising some staff.
- Coutinho confirmed he left Vasco in February to prioritize his mental health and has not played since then, and his move to Santos has drawn both criticism from some Vasco fans and public defense from former teammate Souza.
- The deal is short and cost-contained, reflecting Santos’s recent pattern of signing experienced free agents, and the club says Coutinho’s return is meant to strengthen the squad as it tries to move away from the relegation zone.