FIFA World Cup: Neymar Gives Philippe Coutinho The Treatment As The Latter Turns 26
Brazil are going through their paces in Sochi ahead of their Group E engagements.
- Posted by Joy Tirkey
- Updated: June 12, 2018 04:48 PM IST
![FIFA World Cup: Neymar Gives Philippe Coutinho The Treatment As The Latter Turns 26 FIFA World Cup: Neymar Gives Philippe Coutinho The Treatment As The Latter Turns 26](https://c.ndtvimg.com/neymar-coutinho-afp_625x300_1528801765650.jpg?output-quality=80&downsize=639:*)
Highlights
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Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho turned 26 on Tuesday
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Neymar, Marcelo pinned Coutinho on the ground and applied cake on him
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Brazil play their opening game on Sunday against Switzerland
Brazilian star and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho turned 26 on Tuesday and his teammates had a surprise in store for the playmaker. Neymar and Marcelo are seen pinning the former Liverpool player to the ground and breaking an egg over his head and covering him in flour. Several users shared the video on various social media platforms showing the members of the Selecao having a gala time ahead of the World Cup. Around 5,000 locals had turned out to watch the relaxed session at the Yug-Sport Stadium, next to the Brazilian squad's hotel in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.
Coutinho getting the birthday treatment.. #BRA
— TheRealCasuals (@Real_Casuals_66) June 12, 2018
pic.twitter.com/OSlTkDpAHs
Brazil attracted hordes of fans who gathered around the pitch where the team is practising. They held their first training session on Russian soil ahead of the World Cup.
Those who started the final pre-World Cup warm-up against Austria spent most of Tuesday's session apart from the rest of Tite's squad, while Manchester United-bound midfielder Fred was not involved as he continues to nurse an ankle injury.
The world's most expensive player, Neymar, netted on what was his first start since undergoing surgery on a fractured foot in early March, while Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho scored the other goals against an Austrian side who failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Brazil play their opening game at the tournament on Sunday, when they take on Switzerland in Rostov-on-Don. They will also come up against Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.