Brazil's Vital seeks to follow Coutinho's trail

Brazilian player Mateus Vital says he wants to follow in the footsteps of Philippe Coutinho.

In an interview on the club's official web site, the 17-year-old said his idol was Coutinho, who represented Vasco 19 times before a 2009 move to Inter Milan, reported Xinhua news agency.

Vital was last month promoted to Vasco da Gama's professional ranks after impressing for the club's U-20 team.

"Being called up was a surprise to me. I did not expect it," Vital said.

"I was very happy because it meant I was fulfilling a part of my dream. I hope this can be the beginning of many achievements. I feel privileged to be following in the footsteps of my idol Coutinho.

"I hope to honour this shirt as much as he did. This achievement will be a milestone in my life."

Vital is expected to make his first-team debut for the Rio de Janeiro outfit in the coming weeks as Vasco strive to avoid relegation from Brazil's top flight.