Latest news with #Coutinho
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Golazo Merchants: Brazil's Little Magician, Philippe Coutinho
As thousands of fans push themselves through turnstiles and pack into Premier League venues, it's with a sense of anticipation and the hope that the next ninety minutes deliver something unforgettable. For those of a Liverpool persuasion, the nimble feet and repertoire of tricks from Philippe Coutinho so often proved worth the admission fee alone. Advertisement In an era in which English football has become ever more cosmopolitan, Coutinho represented the best of a brilliant football nation. Brazil has a long and storied history of producing elite talents, footballers who take to the pitch and express themselves without constraints, always willing to try something out of the ordinary to gain an advantage. Coutinho's arrival into the Premier League came in the closing stages of the 2013 January transfer window, with Brendan Rodgers gambling on the young midfielder as he sought to inject some flair into a mediocre Liverpool side. Rodgers had been in charge for six months and with Liverpool languishing in seventh sanctioned deals to sign Coutinho from Inter Milan and Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge. Advertisement Coutinho had been earmarked as one of Brazil's brightest talents following his emergence at Vasco da Gama, but the inevitable move to Europe had failed to work out as hoped as he struggled to make an impression at the San Siro. There were bright moments, including a fine performance in a 4-3 win over Tottenham in the Champions League. He was loaned to Espanyol and thrived in Spain, but his return to Inter once again saw him fail to dislodge senior stars and the Nerazzurri opted to cash in when an £8.5m offer arrived from Anfield. It was a decision the Serie A side would come to regret. Despite his slight stature he soon made an impression at Liverpool, with his sublime first touch and eye for a pass seeing Coutinho form an instant understanding with Luis Suarez and fellow winter window signing Sturridge. Advertisement Operating from the left, the sight of Coutinho cutting inside and inter-linking with the front two became a familiar one as he grew in confidence in England. The 2013/14 season saw him shifted inwards as part of a midfield diamond, as Liverpool came close to ending their long wait for a Premier League title. With Steven Gerrard reinvented in a Regista role and Coutinho and Raheem Sterling buzzing behind the twin threat of Sturridge and Suarez, Liverpool scored 101 goals on their way to a runners-up finish. Embed from Getty Images Coutinho had shown flashes of his brilliance, including a winner in a pulsating clash with City at Anfield, but he was soon to take on a more prominent role. Advertisement Liverpool's title-chasing team had been rapidly dismantled in the year that followed the club's near miss. Luis Suarez departed for Barcelona in 2014, whilst the following summer saw the fading force of Steven Gerrard leave for Los Angeles and Raheem Sterling move on to Manchester City. Coutinho was now the leading light and it was a spotlight he began to revel in. He ended the 2014/15 season on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award despite a return of just five goals, with his very finest being this outrageous effort against Southampton. Some footballers possess a signature strike and for Coutinho, it's this, a shift inside from the left channel and hit that seems hell-bent on finding its way into the stanchion as soon as it leaves his magical boot. Advertisement Bonus marks for the added aesthetic of the ball cannoning in off the crossbar, here. The failure to repeat the club's title challenge and a poor start to the following campaign saw Rodgers replaced at Anfield, with the Reds naming former Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp as his replacement. The infancy of Klopp's reign saw Coutinho's role questioned and debate as to whether the fleet-footed and free-spirited Brazilian would be able to adjust to his new manager's demands. Klopp's side were entertaining and expansive, whilst retaining the vulnerability that simultaneously creates excitement and denies challenges for major honours. Advertisement Coutinho continued to shine, however, adding a sprinkling of Samba to Klopp's heavy-metal football. He was instrumental in the Reds' run to the Europa League final, scoring a brilliant individual effort as Manchester United were eliminated in the first-ever European meeting between the two North-West rivals. A signature drop of the shoulder left Guillermo Varela in his wake before an audacious scooped finish from an acute angle bamboozled David de Gea and secured Liverpool's passage to the next stage. He scored 12 goals in all competitions that season with his highlight reel becoming ever more spectacular, earning a second successive club Player of the Season award before enjoying the best individual season of his career in 2016/17. Advertisement Whether used as a central number ten or drifting inside from the left he found a way to influence proceedings, with his velvet first touch and remarkable ability to chop and change direction leaving a trail of defenders in his wake. So often he would accelerate from a standing start down the left before – in the knowledge more athletic defenders were chasing him down, shifting the ball inwards with the outside of his boot, using the unbalanced momentum of the chasing challenger to free himself infield for a shooting chance. He added a derby day special to his increasing collection of fantastic finishes in April 2017, scoring the second with a stunning solo goal in a 3-1 win over Everton. It was Coutinho-esque in its entirety, the demanding of possession and a twisting and turning drive towards goal before a bending finish into the far corner. Liverpool ended the season fourth and secured a return to the Champions League, but faced a fight to keep their leading light as Barcelona made their interest public. Advertisement Despite the midfielder's desire for a move to Catalonia and a strong approach from Barcelona, the transfer window passed with Coutinho remaining on Merseyside. He had become the fulcrum of the side, the centre-piece of an improving outfit that now boasted various avenues to goal. Mohamed Salah had arrived from Roma during the summer, whilst Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino helped form a forward contingent soon christened the 'Fab Four'. Even in a season that saw Salah shatter the Premier League's goal record, the first six months of the campaign saw Coutinho retain his title as Liverpool's leading light. Advertisement He scored a fabulous free-kick in a chaotic 3-2 win at Leicester in September, a goal that encapsulated his penchant for producing something out of nothing. The following month saw him add another trademark stunner from distance at Newcastle, with the Magpies making the mistake of affording the Brazilian far too much room as he cut inside. Standing off Coutinho had become a recipe for disaster. The goals were the highlight of performances that became ever more impressive, with Coutinho appearing as if he had pillows on his feet when the ball arrived in his possession and a rocket launcher when it left. As the winter window approached, Liverpool were forced to once again bat away questions regarding Coutinho's future. The threat of Barcelona's interest had only temporarily been removed, with the Catalans again lurking as January approached. Advertisement Klopp did all he could to persuade Coutinho to remain a part of his improving side, handing the Brazilian the captain's armband as he fired home a first career hat-trick during a 7-0 thrashing of Spartak Moscow in the Champions League. He later warned Coutinho about the pitfalls of leaving Liverpool for Spanish football's superpowers, but in the end, the temptation of Barcelona proved too much and in January a £142m deal was agreed – representing a record sale for Liverpool. 'Stay here, and they will build a statue in your honour. Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more.' – Jurgen Klopp on Philippe Coutinho Coutinho began brightly in Barcelona, but his fortunes soon deteriorated as he fell out of favour. Medals have come in the form of two La Liga titles, whilst he also won a Bundesliga treble, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble during a loan spell at Bayern Munich in 2019/20. Advertisement On each occasion, however, he has found himself on the outside looking in. An unhappy return to England at Aston Villa followed, before loan spells at Al-Duhail and Vasco de Gama as his star waned. The twinkle-toed tormentor of Premier League defences was a pale imitation after leaving Anfield. Klopp's warning had become, sadly, prophetic. At his best, 'The Little Magician' had been a joy to watch. Read – Opinion: Aston Villa an ideal place for Philippe Coutinho's restoration Read Also – All time Brazilian Premier League XI Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Mint
11-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
The 10-minute service will mess with people's health, says Luke Coutinho
When American millionaire and longevity advocate Bryan Johnson called out India's air pollution problem on social media in early February, it was received by typical wringing of hands accompanied with breathless headlines. For Mumbai-based integrative lifestyle expert Luke Coutinho, it was just the wake up call the country needed. In an open letter addressed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and prime minister Narendra Modi, he'd written, 'The air we breathe is no longer just air—it is harming our lungs, our hearts, and our future. We cannot ignore this any longer." In the letter, he exhorted everyone from parents and educators to fitness trainers and influencers on the need for collective action to demand 'clean air, clean water, and clean food." Also read: Shane Watson's techniques to bouncing back: Music, meditation, and mindset 'Whether it's about obesity or demand for clean air, it's always going to be about collective action. Which is why even when I put out my initial message to the prime minister, the chief minister, it was a request. The letter was about stating that we can't solve problems in our country with anger and hatred. It has to be through the unity of everyone," says Coutinho on a video call with Lounge. The demand for 'clean air, clean water, and honest food," he says, was also part of the talk he gave at the inaugural NXT Conclave 2025 in the Capital on 28 February-1 March, that was attended by global leaders. Coutinho also presented the Bharat Dish and Lifestyle tips booklet at the conclave. 'A lot of us have superfoods in the kitchen – be it makhana, desi ghee, moringa or amla, but we're looking for fancy blueberries and raspberries that have travelled on a ship for months to reach us. With the booklet available to all, the hope is it will drive conversations back to our roots are and what real health is," Coutinho says. While well-intended health and wellness initiatives are being launched in the country, the problem at present, as Coutinho sees it, is that everyone wants to complain about things that are not going great without doing anything about it themselves. 'What's the point of us being hypocrites talking about nutrition and exercise when the air is wrong? Any doctor will tell you that without the right air, everything else is practically useless. But now we live in that country, so we can't give up. We people need to come together because that's when the government is going to listen," rues Coutinho who's penned a new book, The Calm Prescription. In this freewheeling interview, he gets talking about why the convenience of quick commerce is not good for us, how our lifestyles are the root cause for most ailments, and a current wellness subject that's got all his attention. Edited excerpts: We're living in a time of 10-minute deliveries. What are your concerns about how this 'instant delivery' lifestyle could affect us? I think 10-minute deliveries are great for many things: you want a toothpaste tube or some masalas, that's great. But I think the promotion of junk food through the 10-minute service is going to really mess up –no, it's already messing up –people's health to the extent that we have doctors telling patients to delete these apps from their phones. I think 10 minutes has just become a way of giving into people's convenience, and it's going to become a very bad habit that people will find difficult to break away from. Further, I strongly believe that the easy availability of junk food on these apps needs to be heavily regulated. Also read: 'To heal, disconnect from work, connect with nature': Soukya's Dr Issac Mathai On Instagram, you regularly post success stories of patients who've healed from severe ailments. What stands out in a lot of these cases is that the root of these issues lies in the lifestyles we lead. Does the fact that the causes are mostly elementary leave you amused or perplexed? Absolutely. And no, it doesn't amuse me anymore as much as it scares me. That's because barring about five or six per cent of the total diseases which are genetic, the balance are medically categorized as lifestyle diseases, i.e, poor lifestyle is causing most of the diseases. When we put up the cases on social media, these are real patients we are talking about. Reading them, people wonder, 'But Luke, how?" Today, we are used to telling clients that when they change their lifestyle, this is the magic that can happen. Otherwise, you'll just have people going from country to country looking for the next treatment, the next nutraceutical, the next yoga pose… with none of it working. Ultimately, to heal, people have to change their lifestyles. What you are saying is that if one wants to be healthy, it's more effective to take a close look at daily routine instead of looking at only supplements or exercise as the solutions? Yes. No one's supplements in their cupboards are ever going to solve their problems. A supplement, like the word says, is the supplement of a deficiency. If I have a deficiency of vitamin D3, I may be prescribed a supplement. But people think 'I'll take these supplements and I'll become stronger", 'get a six pack", 'I'll get a size zero". No. They still have to do the work with their nutrition, in the gym, with their sleep, and with their recovery. There is always something new emerging in the world of wellness. What's a subject that you are currently interested in? I'm very interested in circadian medicine. That's become huge. What is circadian medicine? It's about aligning ourselves with the cycles of nature, be it our sleep time and wake up time, understanding the importance of sunlight, the importance of eating your meals at the same time or doing your exercise at a time that suits your body. This new science of circadian medicine and quantum healing intrigues me because it comes back to common sense— that we as human beings have moved too far away from nature and that is why we have more disharmony and disease. We need to start aligning with the laws of nature, that is when things are going to start getting better. What are some simple habits that one should practice every day? Meditate. Even if it's five minutes a day, do your pranayama, your deep breathing, because it settles you down, it reduces stress in your body. If you don't have time for a workout, do some yoga asanas, even Surya Namaskar – do five or six of them. That ensures you've moved your body and breath together. These are simple habits that we can all do, even if we have just five minutes to spare. How do you unwind? Do you have a cheat day? No, I don't have a cheat day. The word 'cheat" comes guilt and that's not a great emotion to have. I have a reward day instead. I reward myself whenever I want, but I get back on track. It's as simple as that. I think everything is about prioritizing, managing and knowing where you want to put most of your effort, and that's how I manage my day. I unwind with exercise. Or a walk in nature. It can also be a recorded voice note where I'll scream, I'll shout, I'll abuse and then delete it (laughs). Yes, that's how it is. Also read: What's causing low AMH levels in Indian women?
Time of India
06-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Western Bypass used as dumping shortcut
Colva: The much-anticipated Western Bypass and its service roads may have drastically cut down travel time, but they have unfortunately taken on a far less welcome identity — as an unofficial garbage dumping zone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Stretching across 2.7km from Navelim through Benaulim to Seraulim, this stretch of the bypass is now marred by piles of garbage, creating not just an eyesore but a looming environmental hazard. Plastic waste is discarded along the stretch. Locals and environmentalists fear that these pollutants could eventually find their way into the region's water bodies since the road cuts through ecologically sensitive catchment areas. The problem is aggravated by the lack of a scientific and decentralised waste collection system in the peripheral villages surrounding Margao. Villagers often end up discarding garbage along roadsides, especially wet waste which is not collected regularly. With the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) reportedly imposing heavy fines on non-Margao residents using its waste collection stations, residents from neighbouring villages find themselves caught in a bind. Former MMC chairperson Savio Coutinho blamed the worsening situation on the systemic failure of local governance. 'This crisis stems from a lack of political will and citizen engagement. I had proposed a model where village waste — if properly segregated — could be accepted by the city's waste management system for a nominal fee,' Coutinho said. 'Blaming villagers alone is unjust. City dwellers too have been seen dumping garbage along the bypass.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Coutinho also emphasised that penalties alone cannot curb the problem. 'People will always find a place to dump their garbage if no structured disposal system exists,' he said. 'Restrictions without solutions only worsen illegal dumping.' Local activist Santan Pereira from Benaulim echoed similar concerns. 'Our panchayats have no facilities for wet waste disposal,' he said. 'While they collect dry waste once a week, wet waste remains unaddressed. Naturally, roadside dumping becomes the go-to solution.' Pereira also raised questions about inconsistent policies and poor regulation. 'Panchayats permit chicken slaughter stalls without any verification of waste disposal methods,' he said. 'Residential projects are sanctioned without checking if proper garbage systems are in place. All of this leads to more waste — much of it organic — being dumped on roadsides.' While every village panchayat technically has a garbage management committee, Pereira said these committees rarely meet or function as intended. 'What's the point of having these committees on paper if they don't take active steps to address this pressing issue?' he said. Without urgent coordination between municipal authorities, panchayats, and state govt, and without sustainable, village-level waste management solutions, this convenience corridor could soon become an environmental catastrophe in the making, Coutinho said.
NDTV
04-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
Indian Spices And Fruits To Help Boost Your Immunity, As Per Lifestyle Coach Luke Coutinho
We all know how important diet is when it comes to boosting immunity and pretty much everything else that goes on in your body. From your sleep to your mental health, everything plays a pivotal role in maintaining your overall well-being. And Holistic Lifestyle Coach Luke Coutinho recently shared a list of Indian foods and spices that are great for your health. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luke Coutinho - Official (@luke_coutinho) Indian Fruits And Spices To Boost Immunity For the uninitiated, immunity is like a guardian within your body. Your immune system helps the natural defense mechanism of your body to protect you from diseases and infections by combatting harmful pathogens that try to attack your body. A healthy diet can help boost your immunity and keep diseases at bay. And there are some Indian fruits and spices that you can add to your diet, according to Coutinho. Fruits To Boost Immunity Papaya: Loaded with vitamin C and antioxidant properties, papaya can be a great addition to your diet. Plus, it also contains papain and fibre - all of which support a healthy gut and boost immunity. Amla or Indian gooseberry: Load up on these sour berries as they have a high vitamin C content, which can help you fight infections and inflammation. Pomegranate: According to UCLA Health, pomegranate is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help keep the bacteria from growing. It can help strengthen your body's ability to fight off infections. Spices To Boost Immunity Turmeric (Haldi): The active compound in turmeric called curcumin contains anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that can help bolster your immunity. Ginger (Adrak): Gingerol in ginger contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing properties - all of which help fight off infections and support overall health. Cinnamon (Dalchini): Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that help boost immunity. Other Lifestyle Habits To Boost Immunity What you eat is important, but Coutinho also mentions the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You need to be careful of certain things, including getting good sleep, doing moderate exercise regularly, eating clean, and keeping your stress levels and emotional health in check. In the caption, he also warned, "Not a replacement for medicine or your doctor's advice, immunity is not just food, it's deep sleep, exercise, emotional and mental health, nature, clean nutrition... if these foods and spices don't suit you, don't have them… keep winning. Be educated, not influenced".
Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Aston Villa ready to cancel Philippe Coutinho's contract some 654 DAYS after ex-Barcelona star last played for them
Midfielder earns small fortune despite being away on loan HAD THEIR PHIL Aston Villa ready to cancel Philippe Coutinho's contract some 654 DAYS after ex-Barcelona star last played for them Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ASTON VILLA are ready to cancel Philippe Coutinho's contract some 654 days after he last played for them. The playmaker, 32, is currently on loan at Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, where he's scored eight times in 43 outings. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Aston Villa are trying to terminate Philippe Coutinho's monster contract Credit: Getty 2 He has spent the last year on loan with Brazilian side Vasco de Gama Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Coutinho, who also spent last season on loan at Qatari side Al-Duhail, has not played for Villa since the start of the 2023/24 campaign — exactly 654 days ago. But he still has a year remaining on his lucrative £125,000-a-week contract, which Coutinho signed in 2022 after making his shock loan from Barcelona permanent for £17million. And the Athletic claims Villa chiefs have now made it a priority to get his high wages off their books ahead of another summer splurge. Coutinho hit the ground running when he moved to Villa Park on loan in January 2022, scoring five goals in 19 games under Steven Gerard. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL COUPLE GOALS Declan Rice and Wag make rare public appearance after abuse from cruel trolls But standards slipped after his move became permanent, with the ex-Liverpool and Bayern Munich star netting just once in the following 24 outings. And Coutinho now looks set to become a free agent if Villa can agree a deal to terminate his contract this month. He's not the only potential outgoing as Unai Emery's men look to balance the books. Emi Martinez, Lucas Digne and Leon Bailey could be sold for the right price, with Emi Buendia, Leander Dendocker, Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior up for grabs. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS There is also interest in Ollie Watkins, Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers, but Villa are desperate to keep all three. Emery is preparing for several incomings too. Rashford to Inter Milan? Man Utd Star Eyes Shock Serie A Move! Marco Asensio's loan from Paris Saint-Germain could be made permanent. While Villa are huge fans of Southampton winger Tyler Dibling.
