Nigeria international Joel Obi has revealed that ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho was not tipped to make the grade when he arrived Inter Milan in July 2010 and the Brazil international has proved his doubters wrong after joining Barcelona in the January transfer window.

In the three years Coutinho was on the books of the Nerazzurri, he made 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring 4 goals, and was loaned out to Espanyol during the 2011-12 season after failing to break into the first team.

''I have played with a lot of big players, most of them are still playing and still doing good, like I can remember when Coutinho came to our team he was very young and everyone was saying he won't make it,'' Joel Obi said to Kwese Sports.

''But now everyone can see what he's doing in Barcelona, so I am very happy for him.''

Joel Obi, himself, was at Inter Milan for a decade, rising through the ranks before making his first team debut against Werder Bremen in September 2010, and he's grateful to the club where he spent his formative years.

''Inter Milan I always say is a team that I have to thank every day of my life because I started when I was fourteen years at the Academy. They brought me to first team and everything went well.

''I know it's not easy, sometimes it's God's will, they helped me a lot in my career because I learnt so many things. It was amazing for me,'' the Super Eagles midfielder added.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fcbarcelona.com