Philippe Coutinho’s rise to superstar status with Brazil will be confirmed when he is made his country’s skipper this summer.
International boss Tite has selected a young, inexperienced squad to play friendlies against Argentina and Australia when they visit Down Under next week.
And the manager has indicated that, in the absence of regular leader Neymar, he will give the captain’s armband to the man who he wants to step up in the absence of their talismanic leader.
Tite will ask Coutinho to play in a deeper position in central midfield, just as he did for Liverpool in the last few games of the Premier League campaign, as he looks to give the 24 year old he sees as the future of the Samba Stars more responsibility.
Tite said when announcing his squad for the visit to Melbourne – where they face Argentina on June 9, and Australia four days later – he will make Coutinho captain for one of the games, and that will heighten the little magician’s profile even further.
Liverpool though, will resist any attempt by Barcelona or any other club to prise their star away, with boss Jurgen Klopp insisting the player has a five year contract he wants to honour.
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