Barcelona icon Rivaldo has slammed Philippe Coutinho for the way he controversially celebrated his wonder-strike against Manchester United on Tuesday night.
Coutinho netted a stunner in Barcelona's 3-0 win over the Red Devils in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final before putting his fingers in his ears and closing his eyes.
His celebration appeared to be in response to the Barcelona fans, who are yet to embrace the player following his arrival in a £142million deal from Liverpool last season.
The celebration also suggested that he is blotting out the criticism that has come his way and only focusing on working hard for the team.
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But former Nou Camp favourite Rivaldo wasn’t so impressed by Coutinho’s actions, and suggested it may further anger the Barca support.
"It was not a good gesture. He scored a great goal, but it's never good to do something like that to the fans," Rivaldo told Marca .
"The supporters criticise him because they know he has to give more.
“I don't know what happened to him during the week, what he read in the newspapers or saw on television, but you have to keep working, think about the next game and score goals.
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"If he scores everything will change and he will be a player for the club.”
Coutinho’s struggles in Spain have seen him linked with a return to the Premier League, with Manchester United reportedly keen - but Rivaldo has urged his compatriot to stay put.
"I would stay. He is a great player who cannot leave without being a Barcelona success because things haven't gone well," he added.
"Playing in Barca is impressive, they're in the Champions League, everyone talks about this team. You will not find another club like it in the world."
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