Product Code Database
Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira (born 2 October 1991) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd.
After starting his career with Figueirense FC in 2009, Firmino spent four and a half seasons at TSG Hoffenheim. His 16 goals in 33 games in the 2013–14 Bundesliga season earned him the award for the league's Breakthrough Player. In July 2015, he signed for Liverpool. In the 2018–19 season, Firmino won the UEFA Champions League, and the following campaign claimed the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup (after scoring the winner in the final), and the 2019–20 Premier League title. He also won the FA Cup and EFL Cup with Liverpool in the 2021–22 season. Firmino is widely regarded as a cult hero in Liverpool. In 2023, Firmino decided not to extend his contract at Liverpool, and eventually left on a free transfer to Saudi club Al-Ahli, after eight years in England. With Al-Ahli, Firmino won the AFC Champions League Elite two years later.
Firmino made his international debut for Brazil in November 2014. He represented the nation at the 2015, 2019 and 2021 Copa América, where he won the 2019 edition of the tournament. He also represented the nation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Firmino made his first-team debut on 24 October 2009, coming on as a half-time substitute in a 2–1 home loss against Ponte Preta in Série B.
Firmino scored his first goal on 8 May 2010, with the winner in an away win against São Caetano. He contributed with eight goals in 36 appearances during the season, as Figueirense FC returned to Série A after a two-year absence.
However, in 2016, Firmino's form improved as Klopp played him alone up front in a false 9 role. He scored braces against Arsenal and Norwich City that month; the latter performance, in which he also assisted in a 5–4 win, earned comparisons to Raheem Sterling and Luis Suárez. With his form improved, Firmino was voted to be Liverpool's Player of the Month in January. On 10 March he scored his first Europa League goal for Liverpool in a 2–0 win over rivals Manchester United at Anfield. Firmino ended the season as Liverpool's league top scorer with 10 goals.
On 23 August, Firmino scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season, scoring in a 5–0 win over Burton Albion in the second round of the EFL Cup. Firmino scored his first league goals of the season in a 4–1 win over Leicester City, scoring a brace, on 10 September. Thus, Firmino became the first player to score in front of Anfield's new Main Stand in that game. On 29 October, Firmino scored in a 4–2 win over Crystal Palace, and on 6 November he scored in a 6–1 over Watford; the latter result saw Liverpool move to 1st position in the league table, the first time under Klopp. Firmino finished the season with 11 goals in 35 appearances in the Premier League, and 12 in 41 in all competitions.
On 5 January 2018, during a FA Cup match against rivals Everton, Firmino was the subject of controversy following a clash with Everton defender Mason Holgate. Holgate pushed Firmino into the advertising boards, which was followed by the pair exchanging words, with Firmino seemingly insulting the player. Following the match, Holgate accused Firmino of racially abusing him, which he denied. A day later, the Football Association opened an investigation on the matter. Nearly two months later, after they had taken statements from 12 different players, several referees and consulted two Portuguese Lip reading, the Football Association cleared Firmino of any offence as a result of "insufficient evidence".
On 14 January 2018, Firmino scored in a 4–3 home win over Manchester City, which saw Liverpool end City's unbeaten league run. On 27 January, Firmino scored and missed a penalty in a 2–3 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup. On 14 February, Firmino scored in a dominant 5–0 away win over FC Porto in the first leg of the Champions League round of sixteen. On 10 April, he scored in a 2–1 win over Manchester City in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, which saw Liverpool advance to the semi-finals with a 5–1 aggregate win. On 29 April, Firmino signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool. Firmino started and played the whole 90 minutes in the 2018 Champions League final, with Liverpool losing 3–1 to Real Madrid.
During the season, Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané made up a prolific attacking quartet, dubbed the "Fab Four", in reference to the rock band The Beatles, also from the same city as the club. Following the mid-season exit of Coutinho, the three remaining players were dubbed as the "Fab Three", with the trio having a total of 91 goals between them at the end of the season. Firmino was Liverpool's joint top goalscorer in the Champions League, together with Salah, with 11 goals. Firmino was also included in the 2017–18 Champions League Squad of the Season. The 2017–18 season was Firmino's most prolific in his Liverpool career, as he scored 27 goals in all competitions.
On 1 June, Firmino started for Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur, making a comeback after missing the last few weeks of the season with injury. Firmino played for 60 minutes before being substituted as Liverpool won the match 2–0 to claim the title.
At the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in December, Firmino scored the winning goal in a 2–1 semi-final win over Monterrey. He was named man of the match in the final three days later after scoring the winner against CR Flamengo as Liverpool won the competition for the first time. Firmino also won the 2019–20 Premier League that season.
On 30 July 2022, Firmino started for Liverpool in the club's 3–1 win over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield at the King Power Stadium. Firmino scored his 100th goal for Liverpool on 27 August 2022 when he got two in the 9–0 win against AFC Bournemouth. On 5 March, Firmino scored the last of Liverpool's goals in a historic 7–0 victory against Manchester United. On 10 March 2023, Liverpool announced Firmino would leave Liverpool at the end of the 2022–23 season after he decided not to extend his contract. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said he was a "little bit surprised" by the decision but wished Firmino good luck, saying that he would "be grateful forever" for his influence and impact at Liverpool. Firmino later said that it was "time" to leave the club. Former player Danny Murphy described him as a "cult hero" who the fans adored. Firmino scored a late equaliser against Aston Villa in his last home game for Liverpool at Anfield on 20 May 2023. Firmino also scored in his last ever game for Liverpool on 28 May 2023, being assisted by fellow Brazilian Fabinho. In homage to Firmino, a mural was painted in Liverpool, which he visited before his departure. At the end of the season, Liverpool narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification. Firmino concluded his playing career at Liverpool as the highest-scoring Brazilian player in both the history of Liverpool and the Premier League, with a total of 82 goals.
On 3 May 2025, Firmino was a member of the Al-Ahli squad that won the 2025 AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in the club's history.
In May 2015, Firmino was included in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2015 Copa América to be held in Chile. On 21 June, he scored in a 2–1 defeat of Venezuela to qualify the Seleção for the knockout stage as Group C winners.
In May 2018, he was named in Brazil's 23-man 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 having come on as a late substitute.
In May 2019, Firmino was included in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América. Firmino played all 90 minutes of the final against Peru as Brazil won 3–1 to lift their ninth Copa América title. In June 2021, Firmino was included in Brazil's squad for the 2021 Copa América on home soil. He made a substitute appearance in his nation's 1–0 defeat to rivals Argentina in the final on 10 July.
Firmino was controversially not included in Brazil's squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
At Hoffenheim, Firmino primarily played as an attacking midfielder, or as a second striker, but was also used as a forward, winger or central midfielder, with Firmino using his speed, close control and vision wherever he is deployed. After initially starting as a left winger at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers, new manager Jürgen Klopp used Firmino more centrally, often described as a False 9. In later seasons, especially from the 2020–21 season onward, Firmino has also often been used as a central attacking midfielder in a 4–2–3–1 formation, although tasked with significantly more pressing than a player typically does in such a position.
Ryan Babel, a teammate of Firmino's at Hoffenheim, described him as "a tricky player", saying that "he can dribble, shoot, he has a great shot, he can play a lot of through balls and his assists are very good", while also praising a heading ability which would not be common amongst other players of Firmino's slender build and relatively small stature, a unique trait which journalist and ESPN contributor Michael Cox has also noted. Babel also stated that Firmino had a humble mentality and no problems with attitude. Manager Hemerson Maria also stated that he was impressed with Firmino's "strong personality and mentality".
Due to his energy and defensive workrate off the ball, Klopp has referred to Firmino as the "engine" that propels the team's relentless counter-attacking system; "If he loses the ball, he fights for it back. If he loses it again, he fights for it. He looks like the engine of the team." The suitability of Firmino's playing style to Klopp's pressing system has meant that Firmino was referred to as "Liverpool's most important player" on several occasions during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons. Due to Firmino's wide range of skills, Thierry Henry described him as "the most complete striker in the Premier League". Likewise, defender Nathan Aké identified him as his toughest opponent, as "he could do everything".
Firmino is also well known for his popular "no-look" goals. One of his best known , 'the Matador', features in the FIFA 19 video game.
Firmino has been given the nickname "Bobby" by Liverpool supporters and players – a Hypocorism of his first name "Roberto".
In December 2016, Firmino was arrested for drunk driving. He was fined £20,000 and had his driving licence revoked for a year when sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in February 2017.
In June 2024, Firmino became pastor of an evangelical church he founded in Maceio, Brazil, which he founded three years ago alongside his wife Larissa Pereira and pastors Jairo Fernandes and Keila Medeiro. The dedication was held in his hometown of Maceio in the Manah Church.
| + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2" | Club !rowspan="2" | Season !colspan="3" | League !colspan="2" | National cup !colspan="2" | League cup !colspan="2" | Continental !colspan="2" | Other !colspan="2" | Total |
| Figueirense FC | 2009 | Série B | 0 | |||||
| 2010 | Série B | 8 | ||||||
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2010–11 | Bundesliga | 3 | |||||
| 2011–12 | Bundesliga | 7 | ||||||
| 2012–13 | Bundesliga | 7 | ||||||
| 2013–14 | Bundesliga | 22 | ||||||
| 2014–15 | Bundesliga | 10 | ||||||
| Liverpool | 2015–16 | Premier League | 11 | |||||
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 12 | ||||||
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 27 | ||||||
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 16 | ||||||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 12 | ||||||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 9 | ||||||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 11 | ||||||
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 13 | ||||||
| Al-Ahli | 2023–24 | Saudi Pro League | 9 | |||||
| 2024–25 | Saudi Pro League | 12 | ||||||
| Al Sadd | 2025–26 | Qatar Stars League | 1 | |||||
| + Appearances and goals by national team and year | |
| Brazil | 1 |
| 3 | |
| 1 | |
| 0 | |
| 3 | |
| 5 | |
| 3 | |
| 1 | |
| + List of international goals scored by Roberto Firmino |
| 3–0 |
Al-Ahli
Brazil
Individual
Records
|
|
