Phillipe Coutinho says he is leaving boyhood club Vasco da Gama because he is "tired mentally" and his "cycle at the club has ended".

The former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder was substituted at half-time after being booed by fans during Vasco's win on penalties over Volta Redonda last week.

Coutinho, who has 68 caps for Brazil, did not return to the bench in the second half to watch the remainder of the game.

In a lengthy, emotional statement on Instagram, the 33-year-old says he is leaving Vasco because "now is the time to take step back".

"I would never disrespect the fans, my team-mates and Vasco. I've never done that anywhere I've been. Those who know me know that," he said.

"At that moment, on the way to the locker room, I felt and realised that my cycle at the club had ended, and I didn't come back to prioritise my mental health.

"It hurts a lot. The truth is that I'm very tired mentally. With a tight heart, I understand that now is the time to take a step back and end this cycle in Vasco.

"I'm grateful...