Philippe Coutinho has spent the past year back in his native Brazil, but his current club Vasco da Gama have endured a number of close calls with violent incidents
Philippe Coutinho was forced to pause an interview after loud gunfire could be heard from its location. Coutinho is currently on loan at Brazilian Serie A side Vasco da Gama, based in Rio de Janeiro.
The midfielder started his career with the club and joined them on loan from Aston Villa last summer. He has made 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and notching two assists.
Vasco last won a major trophy in 2011 with the Copo do Brasil, while they won the Copa Libertadores back in 1998. This season has not reached those heights, with Fernando Diniz’s side sitting 13th in the Brazilian top-flight.
On Thursday, Coutinho was called upon to deliver an interview with Brazilian TV channel Globo. But midway through the 32-year-old’s conversation with the reporter, the loud sound of gunfire could be heard.
Coutinho at first paused when the shots cracked out before turning around grinning and making a joke. His team-mates Leo Jardim and Nuno Moreira were also being interviewed and both also laughed after the incident.
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According to Globo, Vasco’s Moacyr Barbosa training base was opened in 2020 and is located near Cidade de Deus, a region that has seen a high number of violent incidents in recent years.
Club staff have described the noise of gunshots and helicopters at the training centre as being normal, the result of police operations in the region. Vasco have invested heavily in their training base.
That includes the construction of a swimming pool and hot tub to aid the recovery of their players. They also have plans to build the president’s office, a large meeting room and a space reserved exclusively for the coaching staff.
Fans were amazed that the reaction of the three players towards the gunfire. One observer wrote: “And he kept going like nothing happened.”
Another posted: “Proper Brazilian experience.” A third added: “Embarrassing. They have to move the training centre out of the middle of this favela. It’s embarrassing. For the love of God.”
A fourth said: “This is normal day in Rio de Janiero.” A fifth said: “South America really is something else.” Another added: “Bro didn’t even flinch.”
A final fan concluded: “This is Rio without makeup, not what the authorities try to sell to outsiders. Most Cariocas survive daily under these conditions of imminent risk when leaving their homes. Devastating and revolting.”
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