Coutinho may still have a future at Barcelona, says Rivaldo

Rivaldo believes Philippe Coutinho may still have a future at Barcelona following his impressive two-goal cameo against them for Bayern Munich.

Coutinho gave Barcelona a little taste on what they missed out in this season by bagging a brace and an assist against his parent club to help Bayern thrash them 8-2 in last week’s Champions League quarter-final match.

The Brazilian came on as a 75th-minute substitute for Serge Gnabry and scored a quick-fire brace. He also set-up Robert Lewandowski’s goal. It took his tally up to 11 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances across all competitions this term. So, on a statistical basis at least, it’s not been a bad loan spell in Germany.

What happens next for Coutinho is unclear, though. He failed to live up to his €145m price tag at Barcelona and has only shown flashes of his old brilliance at Bayern. A Premier League return, meanwhile, has been frequently suggested.

But Rivaldo isn’t sold on the idea that his compatriot’s days at Camp Nou are over, with Ronald Koeman recently becoming the club’s new manager.

“Philippe Coutinho scored twice against Barcelona after just 20 minutes on the pitch. I don’t think it was disrespectful,” the former Barcelona star told Betfair.

“Coutinho is a professional loaned to Bayern Munich with the purpose of helping the Germans every time he is called on and that’s what he did.

“It shouldn’t affect his future at club. Whether Coutinho tries to revive his career, or moves on this summer, will all depend on the new manager and the plans he has for the Brazilian star.

“With so many exits expected at Barca, Coutinho might even get more opportunities.”