Philippe Coutinho has officially confirmed that his time with has come to an end — and the reason goes far beyond football.

The 33-year-old shared an emotional and heartfelt message on Instagram, revealing that he has decided to step away in order to focus on his mental wellbeing.

In his statement, Coutinho explained that he didn’t arrive at this decision lightly. He emphasised that his message was written out of respect and affection for the club and its supporters, making it clear that this was something deeply personal rather than a footballing disagreement.

At one point, the former Liverpool playmaker admitted that he realised his chapter at Vasco was over as he headed toward the dressing room — and chose not to return because he needed to prioritise his mental health.

In simple terms, he described himself as “mentally exhausted.”

A Painful but Personal Decision

Throughout his message, Coutinho returned repeatedly to the theme of respect — for the club, for the fans, and for himself.

He acknowledged that being judged by many people over circumstances that, in his view, did not reflect his character had been extremely difficult to handle. Despite stepping away, he stressed that his emotional connection with Vasco remains strong and always will.

Everything about the statement points to a deeply personal decision rather than one purely based on performances or tactical choices.

His Impact at Vasco

Although his return to Brazil did not reach the dazzling heights of his peak years in England, Coutinho was still an important contributor for Vasco last season.

In 2025, he featured regularly, scoring five goals and providing three assists across 30 appearances. He logged over 2,400 minutes and consistently created opportunities, averaging nearly two key passes per game.

In 2026, however, his involvement dropped significantly, with only three appearances before this announcement.

The numbers show that while he may not have been at his explosive best, he was still carrying responsibility within the squad.

Liverpool Legacy Still Strong

For supporters of , Coutinho will always be remembered for something special.

Across 201 appearances in all competitions, he scored 54 goals and provided 43 assists. In the Premier League alone, he netted 41 times and registered 35 assists in 152 matches.

Those statistics only tell part of the story. It was the moments — the curling strikes from distance, the creativity between the lines, the ability to change a game in seconds — that defined his time at Anfield.

Former Reds midfielder even recently compared to Coutinho, highlighting the technical elegance and match-winning quality he once brought to Merseyside.

Football Comes Second

While statistics and memories matter, they are secondary in this situation.

This update is ultimately about the wellbeing of a player who has given so much to the game. Stepping away takes courage, especially in an era where athletes are constantly under scrutiny.

No matter where his career goes next, many supporters will simply hope that Philippe Coutinho finds the balance and peace he is now seeking.

Because at the end of the day, mental health is bigger than football.