Roberto Firmino facts for kids
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Firmino with Al-Ahli in 2023
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2 October 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Maceió, Brazil | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Forward, attacking midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Al-Ahli | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2008 | CRB | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Figueirense | ||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Figueirense | 38 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2015 | TSG Hoffenheim | 140 | (38) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2023 | Liverpool | 256 | (82) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Al-Ahli | 47 | (13) | ||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2021 | Brazil | 55 | (17) | ||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira (born 2 October 1991) is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a forward or attacking midfielder. Currently, he plays for and captains Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.
Firmino started his career with Figueirense in 2009. He then spent four and a half seasons at TSG Hoffenheim in Germany. In 2015, he joined Liverpool in England. There, he became known for his creativity, goal-scoring, and hard work. He was a key part of a strong attacking trio with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.
With Liverpool, Firmino won many major titles. These include the UEFA Champions League in 2019. He also helped the team win the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the 2019–20 Premier League title. He later won the FA Cup and EFL Cup. In 2023, Firmino moved to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. He also played for the Brazil national team from 2014 to 2021.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Football
Roberto Firmino was born in Maceió, Brazil, on 2 October 1991. He grew up in a poor family. People described him as "humble" and "football mad." His father was a street vendor, and his mother was a housewife.
Firmino started playing football for his school team. At 13, he joined the youth team of CRB. He often played as a defensive midfielder or even a defender.
Club Career Highlights
Starting Out in Brazil
Firmino joined Figueirense's youth team in 2008 when he was 17. He had previously played for CRB. A dentist named Marcellus Portella discovered him.
He made his first professional appearance in October 2009. In January 2010, he joined the main team. Firmino scored his first professional goal in May 2010. He helped Figueira return to Série A (Brazil's top league).
Time at TSG Hoffenheim
In December 2010, Firmino signed with TSG Hoffenheim in Germany. He officially joined the club in January 2011. The manager, Ernst Tanner, was happy to sign such a talented Brazilian player.
He played his first game for Hoffenheim a month later. He scored his first goal for the club in April 2011. In July 2013, Firmino extended his contract with Hoffenheim. He had a great 2013–14 Bundesliga season, scoring 16 goals. He was named the league's Breakthrough Player.
Joining Liverpool: A New Chapter
2015–2017: Settling In
On 23 June 2015, Firmino agreed to join Premier League club Liverpool. The deal was completed on 4 July. He made his first appearance for Liverpool on 9 August.
In November, Firmino scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 4–1 win against Manchester City. This happened after new manager Jürgen Klopp moved Firmino to play as a centre-forward. In 2016, Firmino's performance improved a lot. He scored two goals against Arsenal and Norwich City. He was voted Liverpool's Player of the Month in January. Firmino finished the season as Liverpool's top league scorer with 10 goals.
In the 2016–17 season, Firmino continued to score important goals. He scored his first league goals of the season in a 4–1 win over Leicester City. He was the first player to score in front of Anfield's new Main Stand. He ended the season with 11 goals in the Premier League.
2017–18 Season: Champions League Finalist
Before the 2017–18 season, Firmino changed his shirt number to 9. He scored his first goal of the season in August. He also scored against his old club, TSG Hoffenheim, in the Champions League play-off.
Firmino scored in a huge 7–0 win over Spartak Moscow in the Champions League. He also scored in a 4–3 home win over Manchester City, ending their unbeaten league run. In April, he scored against Manchester City again in the Champions League quarter-finals. Liverpool won and moved to the semi-finals.
On 29 April, Firmino signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool. He played in the 2018 Champions League final, where Liverpool lost to Real Madrid. Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané formed a powerful attacking trio. They were called the "Fab Three." Firmino was Liverpool's top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals. This was his best goal-scoring season at Liverpool, with 27 goals in total.
2018–19 Season: Champions League Winner
Firmino scored his first goal of the 2018–19 season in a 2–1 win over Leicester City. He then scored a late winning goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. On 29 December, Firmino scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool in a 5–1 win over Arsenal.
On 1 June, Firmino started in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur. He had been injured but returned for the big game. Liverpool won the match 2–0, claiming the Champions League title.
2019–20 Season: Premier League Champion
On 14 August 2019, Firmino helped Liverpool win the 2019 UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea. He set up both goals for Sadio Mané, and Liverpool won in a penalty shoot-out. On 31 August, Firmino became the first Brazilian player to score 50 goals in the Premier League.
At the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in December, Firmino scored the winning goal in the semi-final. He was named man of the match in the final after scoring the winner against Flamengo. Liverpool won the competition for the first time. Firmino also won the 2019–20 Premier League title that season.
2020–2023: More Trophies and Farewell
On 13 May 2021, Firmino scored two goals in a 4–2 win over Manchester United. He even captained Liverpool for the first time in a match against West Bromwich Albion. He missed the 2022 EFL Cup final due to injury. Liverpool won the EFL Cup and the FA Cup in the 2021–22 season.
On 30 July 2022, Firmino played in Liverpool's 3–1 win over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield. He scored his 100th goal for Liverpool on 27 August 2022 in a huge 9–0 win. On 5 March 2023, Firmino scored in a historic 7–0 victory against Manchester United.
On 10 March 2023, Liverpool announced that Firmino would leave the club at the end of the 2022–23 season. He decided not to extend his contract. Manager Jurgen Klopp said he would "be grateful forever" for Firmino's impact. Fans saw him as a "cult hero." Firmino scored in his last home game and his very last game for Liverpool. A mural was painted in Liverpool to honor him. He left as the highest-scoring Brazilian player in Liverpool's history and in the Premier League, with 82 goals.
Moving to Al-Ahli
On 4 July 2023, Firmino joined Saudi Professional League club Al Ahli. He signed a contract until 2026. On 11 August 2023, Firmino scored a hat-trick in his first game for Al-Ahli.
International Career with Brazil
Firmino always dreamed of playing for the Brazil national team. On 23 October 2014, he received his first call-up for friendly matches. He debuted in a 4–0 win over Turkey on 12 November. Firmino scored his first goal six days later in a 2–1 win against Austria.
In May 2015, Firmino was chosen for Brazil's squad for the 2015 Copa América. He scored in a 2–1 win over Venezuela, helping Brazil reach the knockout stage.
In May 2018, he was part of Brazil's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. On 2 July, Firmino scored Brazil's second goal in a 2–0 win over Mexico in the round of 16.
In May 2019, Firmino was included in Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América. He played all 90 minutes of the final against Peru. Brazil won 3–1, lifting their ninth Copa América title.
In June 2021, Firmino was in Brazil's squad for the 2021 Copa América. He played as a substitute in the final, where Brazil lost 1–0 to Argentina. Firmino was not chosen for the 2022 World Cup squad.
Style of Play
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At Hoffenheim, Firmino mainly played as an attacking midfielder or second striker. He also played as a forward, winger, or central midfielder. He used his speed, control, and vision.
At Liverpool, manager Jürgen Klopp used Firmino more centrally as a "False 9." He became Liverpool's main centre-forward. People called him "a true Liverpool number nine."
Former teammate Ryan Babel described Firmino as a "tricky player." He said Firmino could dribble, shoot, and make great passes. Firmino also has a good heading ability, which is unusual for his size. He is known for his humble attitude.
Firmino is praised for his technical skills, creativity, and how well he connects with other players. He is also known for his smart movement and ability to create space for teammates.
Klopp called Firmino the "engine" of the team. This is because of his energy and hard work when defending. He fights to win the ball back. His playing style fit Klopp's system perfectly. Thierry Henry called him "the most complete striker in the Premier League."
Firmino is also famous for his "no-look" goals. One of his goal celebrations, 'the Matador,' is even in the FIFA video game FIFA 19.
Personal Life
Firmino married Larissa Pereira in June 2017. They have three daughters. In November 2022, they announced they were expecting a fourth child. Firmino speaks Portuguese, English, and German. He is a Christian and was baptized in 2020 by his Liverpool teammate Alisson.
Liverpool fans and players call him "Bobby." He often spends time with his Brazilian teammates Alisson and Fabinho. In June 2024, Firmino became a pastor of an evangelical church he founded in Maceio, Brazil.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Figueirense | 2009 | Série B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2010 | Série B | 36 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 8 | |||||
| Total | 38 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 8 | ||||||
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2010–11 | Bundesliga | 11 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 3 | ||||
| 2011–12 | Bundesliga | 30 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 33 | 7 | ||||
| 2012–13 | Bundesliga | 33 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 36 | 7 | |||
| 2013–14 | Bundesliga | 33 | 16 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | 37 | 22 | ||||
| 2014–15 | Bundesliga | 33 | 7 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 36 | 10 | ||||
| Total | 140 | 38 | 11 | 9 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 153 | 49 | ||||
| Liverpool | 2015–16 | Premier League | 31 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 1 | — | 49 | 11 | |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 35 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 41 | 12 | |||
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 37 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 11 | — | 54 | 27 | ||
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 34 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 4 | — | 48 | 16 | ||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 52 | 12 | |
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 36 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 9 | |
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 20 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 5 | — | 35 | 11 | ||
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 25 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 13 | |
| Total | 256 | 82 | 14 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 72 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 362 | 111 | ||
| Al-Ahli | 2023–24 | Saudi Pro League | 32 | 9 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 9 | |||
| 2024–25 | Saudi Pro League | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 7 | ||
| Total | 47 | 13 | 3 | 0 | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 56 | 16 | |||
| Career total | 481 | 141 | 28 | 11 | 14 | 1 | 77 | 26 | 9 | 5 | 609 | 184 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2014 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 15 | 5 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 1 | |
| Total | 55 | 17 | |
- Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Firmino goal
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 November 2014 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria | 2 |  Austria |
2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly | |
| 2 | 29 March 2015 | Emirates Stadium, London, England | 4 |  Chile |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 10 June 2015 | Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil | 6 |  Honduras |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly | |
| 4 | 21 June 2015 | Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Santiago, Chile | 9 |  Venezuela |
2–0 | 2–1 | 2015 Copa América | |
| 5 | 6 October 2016 | Arena das Dunas, Natal, Brazil | 12 |  Bolivia |
5–0 | 5–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 6 | 3 June 2018 | Anfield, Liverpool, England | 20 |  Croatia |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly | |
| 7 | 2 July 2018 | Cosmos Arena, Samara, Russia | 24 |  Mexico |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup | |
| 8 | 7 September 2018 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States | 26 |  United States |
1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly | |
| 9 | 26 March 2019 | Sinobo Stadium, Prague, Czech Republic | 31 |  Czech Republic |
1–1 | 3–1 | Friendly | |
| 10 | 9 June 2019 | Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil | 32 | Honduras |
6–0 | 7–0 | Friendly | |
| 11 | 22 June 2019 | Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil | 35 |  Peru |
2–0 | 5–0 | 2019 Copa América | |
| 12 | 2 July 2019 | Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil | 37 |  Argentina |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2019 Copa América | |
| 13 | 10 October 2019 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | 41 |  Senegal |
1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly | |
| 14 | 9 October 2020 | Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil | 45 | Bolivia |
2–0 | 5–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 15 | 3–0 | |||||||
| 16 | 13 November 2020 | Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil | 47 | Venezuela |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 17 | 23 June 2021 | Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 52 |  Colombia |
1–1 | 2–1 | 2021 Copa América |
Honours and Achievements
Liverpool
- Premier League: 2019–20
- FA Cup: 2021–22
- EFL Cup: 2021–22; runner-up: 2015–16
- FA Community Shield: 2022
- UEFA Champions League: 2018–19; runner-up: 2017–18, 2021–22
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2015–16
- UEFA Super Cup: 2019
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2019
Brazil
- Copa América: 2019; runner-up: 2021
Individual
- Bundesliga Breakthrough of the Season: 2013–14
- PFA Player of the Month: January 2016
- PFA Fans' Player of the Month: January 2016
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18
- Samba Gold: 2018
- Highest-scoring Brazilian player in Premier League history: 82 goals
See also
In Spanish: Roberto Firmino para niños
