Philippe Coutinho Officially Handed Johan Cruyff's Iconic No.14 Barcelona Shirt

No pressure, Philippe.

The brilliant Brazilian is set to make his Barcelona debut on Thursday night against Espanyol, following a £142 million switch from Liverpool, penning a lucrative five-and-a-half-year contract in the process.

And ahead of potentially making his Barcelona bow, the club have officially handed over his shirt number.

And it's a legendary, and iconic, shirt.

Coutinho will wear the No.14 shirt previously worn by Dutch hero Johan Cruff, and more recently Thierry Henry.

The shirt was vacated following the departure of legendary Argentine Javier Mascherano.

He's set to join the fledgling Far East movement by signing for Hebei China Fortune after a trophy-laden seven-and-a-half seasons at the Camp Nou.

Coutinho

_{Coutinho holds up his shirt during unveiling. Image: PA}

Meanwhile, Coutinho, who donned the No.10 shirt at Liverpool, was asked whether he would have the same number at Barcelona which is currently occupied by Lionel Messi.

Via Daily Mail: "The conversation turns to his shirt number. All the numbers have been distributed, he is told."

Coutinho

Coutinho

_{Coutinho presented as a Barcelona player. Images: PA}

"What about your favourite, 10?" someone asks.

"No! No! No! There is only one No 10 at Barcelona (Messi). He is the best player in the world, the ultimate No 10," Coutinho replied.

Coutinho and 14, it is.

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Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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