Naija Soccer News
Unveiled: Barcelona Now Has A New Number 7 (Photo)
Barcelona football club have unveiled a new number 7 as players get ready to begin the new season with fresh fervor.
Philippe Coutinho, the Barcelona midfielder has swapped numbers ahead of the 2018-19 season.
Coutinho, who wore No. 14 after completing a club-record move from Liverpool in January, will now wear No. 7, the Catalan club confirmed on Thursday.
The Brazil international becomes the ninth player to make the number his own since squad numbers were fixed in 1995, and the first since Arda Turan donned the shirt before leaving the club last season.
The others to wear the No. 7 shirt were Pedro Rodriguez (2013-2015), David Villa (2010-2013), Eidur Gudjohnsen (2006-2010), Henrik Larsson (2004-2006), Javier Saviola (2001-2004), Alfonso Perez (2000-2001) and former World Player of the Year Luis Figo (1995-2000).
The No. 14 had been made famous by legendary Barcelona player and coach Johan Cruyff.
The 26-year-old Coutinho contributed 10 goals and six assists in 22 matches as he helped the club to league and Copa del Rey titles in his first half a season at the Camp Nou last term.