When Barça's record signing Coutinho was known as Philippinho

They called him Philippinho. A young boy, tipped for a big future with brilliant technical ability and razor sharp dribbling skills. That's the name used bu his parents, José Carlos and Esmeraldina, and his two older brothers, Leandro and Cristiano. However, he's now known as superstar, Barcelona's most expensive player and Philippe Coutinho... although he will always be the little one at home. 

His parents left the state of Bahia, in Brazil's north east, to move to Rio de Janiero. There, Philippe was born and he spent his childhood in the north zone of the city, in Rocha, a middle class neighbourhood. 

doña didí's VISION 

The ball was his. Playing on a residential pitch, Doña Didi, the grandma of a friend, alerted the family Coutinho to youn Philippinho's talent. It was the push needed for them to sign the six-year-old up to Clube do Sargentos. 

For decades in Brazil, futsal has been big. It was how Ronaldo (Rio de Janiero), Ronaldinho (Porto Alegre) and Neymar (Santos) honed their skills. The small pitches and focus on touch play evokes brilliant technical players. 

Coutinho's coach took him Madureira, the club where Evaristo de Macedo played, the first Brazilian to have success at Barça. There, he took the No.14 shirt, which could be the one he finally opts for at Camp Nou, too. 

His talent caught the attention of Vasco da Gama, who he joined in 1999 aged just seven. There, Philippinho quickly developed. The potential was clear. "The first day he cried in training, which is normal. The first week wasn't easy. But within 15 days he began to do what he knows best: put on a show," explains Robson Tavares, his coach. 

As he moved though the age groups, the club began to get excited. Directors believed he could reach the level of two of the club's biggest homegrown stars: Roberto Dinamita and Romario. 

11-a-side 

He was 11 when he took the step into 11-a-side football. His first tournament was in 2003 ad he began to play against better rivals (Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo). Philippinho, who was beginning to be known as Coutinho, made the difference, too. He was a state champion at U-12 (2004), U-13 (2005) and U-14 (2006). He played as a No.9. 

At 14, a big decision was made: He was dropped back to the No.10 role. And there he took on more visibility. His vision exploded and his long range shots and dribbling skills won him even more fans. 

A STAR IS BORN 

That Coutinho would be a star was already expected. At the Brazilian Federation (CBF), they were already rubbing their hands. State television ran reports on the new Boy Wonder who was on the doors of the first team. And his name began to catch the attention of European scouts.  

Vasco marked his childhood. Philippinho spent almost the entire day at the Sao Januário training base, because he went to the school on the premises, too. After classes, he would train with the futsal and football teams. In 2009, aged 17, he made his debut as a professional. It was now a reality.