Coutinho Joins Santos FC, Reunites with Neymar for Season

Philippe Coutinho has officially joined Santos FC for the remainder of the season, reuniting with his close friend and Brazil teammate Neymar. The 34-year-old midfielder had been without a club since departing Vasco da Gama in February.

Coutinho returned to Vasco in 2024, making 81 appearances before leaving due to mental fatigue. Santos announced his signing on social media, sharing a nostalgic photo of the two as teenagers alongside a recent image of them in the gym.

In a video shared by the club, Coutinho is seen entering the dressing room, receiving a hug from Neymar, and expressing his joy by saying, “If it’s a dream, I don’t want to wake up.” This marks the first time Coutinho and Neymar will play together at the club level. Coutinho began his career at Vasco before moving to Inter Milan, Liverpool, and Barcelona, among others, while Neymar returned to Santos, his childhood club, in January of the previous year.