He subsequently moved to Italy with Parma AC, scoring a career-best four goals in 27 games in his first season and adding the campaign's UEFA Cup, in a 2–1 aggregate victory over fellow Serie A side Juventus FC[1][2] In summer 1996, Couto signed a four-year deal with FC Barcelona, moving alongside former Porto teammate Vítor Baía and English manager Bobby Robson as Luís Figo was also playing for the La Liga club.

[4] After two seasons at the Camp Nou, Couto left Barça and joined Rome's SS Lazio in late June 1998 as teammate Iván de la Peña.

[10] As a member of Famalicão in the third division, Couto appeared in four matches as Portugal won the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship,[11] being part of a group of players dubbed the "Golden Generation" of Portuguese football.

[14] He was selected as captain for Euro 2004, which was played on home soil,[15] starting in the first game against Greece but eventually being relegated to the bench by Ricardo Carvalho;[16][17] Portugal went on to reach the final of the tournament, in which the team suffered a defeat against the same opponent.

During his time in Italy, he also adapted himself to different tactical systems; under his Parma manager Nevio Scala, he featured as a man-marking centre-back – or stopper – on occasion, or even as a sweeper behind the back-line.