Gunfire Halts Coutinho, Teammates’ Interview in Rio

Philippe Coutinho, currently on loan at Vasco da Gama, had an interview at the club's Moacyr Barbosa Training Centre in Rio de Janeiro interrupted by gunfire, an incident that also disrupted interviews with teammates Leo Jardim and Nuno Moreira. The event took place near Cidade de Deus, a neighborhood known for frequent violence and police operations. Despite the gunshots, Coutinho and his teammates reacted calmly, even joking and continuing the interviews, a response that sparked both concern and surprise among fans. Club staff stated that interruptions due to violence are not unusual at the facility, underscoring ongoing security challenges in Rio's high-crime areas. The incident has renewed debate about the suitability of the training centre’s location. Coutinho's career has faced recent struggles, with his future at Aston Villa uncertain.