Presentation of Philippe Coutinho
Brazilian starlet Philippe Coutinho Correia was unveiled to the press after Monday morning's training session at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti.
Rafael Benitez introduced the eighteen-year-old attacking midfielder as "a young player with lots of quality. He can be the future of the club and we expect him to do very well for us."
Taking up the microphone, Coutinho spoke two sentences in Italian before replying to questions through an interpreter. "I am very happy to be here, I hope to lots of titles and give a lot of satisfaction to all the Inter fans," he said.
"My position? I'm a midfielder. I like to play behind the strikers and attack, so yes, I'm a bit like Sneijder. My role models? Robinho and Kaka. The comparisons with Pato? It's flattering, but we're two different players. He's a striker, I'm more a midfielder."
Coutinho signed for Inter two years ago, remaining on loan at his former club Vasco da Gama until a month ago. "When I knew Inter were interested I was very excited," he said. "It's every Brazilian player's dream to play for a big European team. When the deal went through, I couldn't wait to start.
"Having the chance to play with Brazilian players like Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio is a dream come true. I used to see them on TV and now I will be training with them. Now I want to learn Italian quickly and settle down as quickly as possible. I'm a new face in Italian football so I have to show what I can do.
"The national team? It's still a long way off. First I have to do well for Inter and play well in Serie A. But it is my dream to be called up to my national team."
Videos of the presentation (in Italian & Portuguese)
Click to viewMods, could we have a Coutinho tag please? :)