Philippe Coutinho to wear iconic number 14 shirt at Barcelona
Monday 8 January 2018 16:48, UK
Philippe Coutinho will wear the number 14 shirt at Barcelona – the same number that was worn by the Brazilian's hero Johan Cruyff.
Coutinho completed his £146m move from Liverpool to Barcelona on Monday, but official announcement of his number has been delayed for squad reasons.
Javier Mascherano currently wears the number 14 shirt, but the 33-year-old is being linked with a move to China this month.
The number 14 is synonymous with Barcelona and Dutch legend Cryuff, who won the Ballon d'Or three times with one of those awarded during his five-year spell at the club.
Coutinho wore the number 10 shirt at Liverpool, but the same number at Barcelona belongs to Lionel Messi - the man who the 25-year-old regards as the world's best footballer.
Sky sources also understand that Coutinho paid cash to facilitate the deal, although there is yet to be a confirmed amount.
