What Brazil manager Dunga is thinking, we really can’t tell.
But he’s chosen to leave Coutinho out of his Brazil squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers on November 12th and 17th, in what’s probably actually good news for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, if a little disheartening for the player.
Instead, our 23-year-old playmaker will remain at Melwood and train with the other non-international players.
In Coutinho’s place, Dunga’s plumped for Kaka – the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner, capped 91 times by his country.
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The 33-year-old currently plies his trade for Orlando City, and while he’s doing well in MLS, there seems little reason as to why he’d be selected now.
At the next World Cup he’ll be 36-years-old and surely not an option, while Coutinho, at 26, should be in his prime.
Our attacking midfielder missed out on the last squad due to injury, but this recent snubbing seems a little more personal.
Still – it’s Brazil’s loss – and hopefully it can help Coutinho find his best form for us in the run up to Christmas.