Football

Coutinho out for three months

Barcelona’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho shoots during the warming up before the 55th Joan Gamper Trophy friendly football match between Barcelona and Elche at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on September 19, 2020. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)


Phillipe Coutinho has been ruled out for three months following an injury sustained in his left meniscus.
The Barcelona star suffered the injury in the Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Eibar on Tuesday.
The Brazilian’s operation was a success but he looks set for a prolonged period on the sidelines as he begins his rehabilitation.
After initial fears he could be out for up to five months, Barcelona have confirmed they expect him to miss ‘approximately’ three months of the season.
It has been a tough campaign for Coutinho on his return from a season-long loan at Bayern Munich last term.
And it is another blow for Barca, who have already lost Gerard Pique and Ansu Fati to long-term injuries this season.
The injury means Coutinho will miss Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain.However, the 28-year-old’s injury could save cash-strapped Barcelona a lot of money.
Barca paid Liverpool an initial fee of £106million to bring Coutinho to the Camp Nou, with a further £36m in potential add-ons.
For example, the La Liga giants will owe the Reds £18m if Coutinho reaches 100 appearances at the club.
Coutinho is just 10 outings short of that landmark but is not expected to be back in first-team contention until April at the earliest.
With the midfielder’s long-term future at Barcelona still in doubt, Liverpool could miss out on the surprise windfall if he were to be sold in the summer.
However, some reports in Spain have suggested Barca have been paying £4.5m per 25 games, which means Liverpool would only miss out on £4.5m.
Liverpool have already pocketed £9m in add-ons after Barcelona qualified for the Champions League in 2018-19 and 2019-20, worth £4.5m apiece.
Coutinho has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season, starting eight of Barca’s 16 La Liga games.

Sammy Wejinya

Recent Posts

Cape Town Marathon 40 day launch

Running royalty is heading to Cape Town next month to race the Sanlam Cape Town…

5 hours ago

30th edition of the OUTsurance Gun Run Half Marathon

Lloyd Bosman finally brought the Gun Run to Pacaltsdorp with an emphatic victory in the…

3 days ago

OUTsurance Gun Run

Philani ‘PK’ Sengce defended his OUTsurance Gun Run Trail title in perfect Cape Town spring…

4 days ago

bird TenX: Ten African footballers who have won the most trophies in history

Over the years, African players have been key to the performances of the world's top…

1 week ago

Unexpected trail outcomes as under the radar runners triumph in big weekend of trail racing

Two under-the-radar runners came up trumps in big ultra-trail races at home and abroad, both…

2 weeks ago

Trail racing’s big weekend sees major upsets

Two under-the-radar runners came up trumps in big ultra-trail races internationally and in South Africa…

2 weeks ago