Replacing Messi, Coutinho Is The New Barca No.10?

Philippe Coutinho has been offered the No.10 jersey at Barcelona vacated by Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain.

Messi, 34, wore the iconic number for 13 glittering seasons after inheriting it from Ronaldinho but joined Paris Saint-Germain this summer after he was unable to pen a new contract at Barca.

Coutinho, meanwhile, has worn No.7 and No.14 since moving to Camp Nou from Liverpool in a £142million transfer in January 2018. 

The Brazilian playmaker, 29, remains heavily linked with a move away from Barca before the transfer window shuts, but he is set for a make-or-break season during which he may don the No.10 jersey.

That's according to Mundo Deportivo , which claims manager Ronald Koeman will regard Coutinho as one of his senior players this season after a lack of attractive offers for his services this summer. 

Coutinho missed the vast majority of last season with a major knee injury but he has returned to fitness in time for the new campaign.

While he played no part in the 4-2 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga last Sunday, striker Rey Manaj was named on the bench with Coutinho's former No.14 shirt.