Doubts over Philippe Coutinho’s participation in the Brazilian national team’s representation in the next World Cup, after the Aston Villa player suffered a thigh muscle injury during the training.
Unai Emery’s first game as the team’s new coach, in which the squad defeated Manchester United 3-1 in the evening, was unexpectedly missed by Coutinho.
The former Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich striker failed to score a goal in any of his 12 Premier League games this season, despite playing in six of them.
Although Coutinho played five out of 68 international matches in his career during this year, his absence from the Brazilian national team’s starting lineup for the two friendlies against Tunisia and Ghana in September was due to his declining performance.
However, Coutinho’s chances of visiting Qatar were lessened as Emery barred him from playing for Breton in the Premier League and the two teams competing against United in the League Cup.
“Coutinho is hurt. I don’t know how long he’ll be out, but he wasn’t able to play today and won’t play even after the World Cup in Qatar is over,” stated Emery.
He added: “It is a muscle injury, which will not play on Thursday or Sunday because it will be absent for a longer period.
“One of the contenders to win the World Cup is the Brazilian national squad.
On the 24th of this month at the Lusail Stadium, the Brazilian national team plays Serbia in the opening match of Group Seven.
Doubts exist regarding Coutinho’s ability to represent Brazil at the World Cup.
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