Coutinho: I have tried to learn as much as I can from Iniesta

Coutinho: I have tried to learn as much as I can from Iniesta

The Brazilian takes a look at his first few months at FC Barcelona and remembers his first meeting with Leo Messi: 'He's an incredible person and very relaxed'

Philippe Coutinho is with the Brazilian national side preparing for the upcoming World Cup which will take place in Russia. However, the FC Barcelona midfielder found time to record an interview for ESPN in which he looks back at his first few months at FC Barcelona. The Barça number 14 comments on his arrival at the Club and sharing a dressing room with the likes of Leo Messi and Andrés Iniesta

Barça

“I am so happy to have signed for Barça and I hope to stay for many years and win as much as possible. When Barça’s interest came out, I thought that it had always been my dream, I have never denied it. My hero was Ronaldinho and he wore the shirt and now it’s my opportunity.”

“Barça have a different way of playing and you need to adapt. At times you don’t know if you have to speed up play or slow it down, that you learn as you go along in training and in matches.”

Andrés Iniesta

“We all know what Iniesta represents, but off the field he is a great guy. When I signed for Barça he was one of the first to send me a welcome message. It was special to receive it and it gave me a lot of confidence.”

“I like to watch a lot in training to learn. I did it at Liverpool with Steven Gerrard and now I do it with Iniesta because he has a lot of experience and plays in a unique way. I have tried to take in as much as I can from him, the same with Leo.”

Messi and Suárez

“Luis and Leo are very easy to get to know. I met Luis a while ago at Liverpool and he organized a meeting for the three of us.”

“At the start when you arrive next to Leo Messi, you are a little nervous. You think ‘I am with the best in the world.’ But I also saw that he is an incredible person as well, very relaxed.”

The squad

“At the very first training session at the Ciutat Esportiva I was amazed by the quality of the whole squad. It surprised me a lot, if you make a mistake in a ‘rondo’ then it’s hard to get out of the middle.”

Way of playing

“I always say that I get ready to give my best, each player has their favourite position and that’s normal. If I am consistent and I can play on the left hand side that would be great.”

“Shooting from outside the box? I started doing it naturally at Liverpool and the goals started to come. I started to gain experience, more self-confidence and the confidence of my team mates…now I try it when I can because I know the goals will come.”

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