Roberto Firmino

This name uses Portuguese naming customs. The first or maternal family name is Barbosa and the second or paternal family name is de Oliveira.
Roberto Firmino

Firmino training with Brazil in 2014
Personal information
Full name Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira[1]
Date of birth (1991-10-02) 2 October 1991[1]
Place of birth Maceió, Brazil[1]
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)[1]
Playing position Forward / Winger
Club information
Current team
 Liverpool
Number 11
Youth career
2004–2008 CRB
2008–2009 Figueirense
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Figueirense 38 (8)
2011–2015 1899 Hoffenheim 140 (38)
2015– Liverpool 44 (15)
National team‡
2014– Brazil 13 (5)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:18, 4 December 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 November 2015

Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira (born 2 October 1991), commonly known as Roberto Firmino or solely as Firmino, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazil national team as an attacking midfielder, forward or winger.

Starting his career with Figueirense in 2009, he spent four-and-a-half seasons at Hoffenheim. His 16 goals in 33 games for the 2013–14 Bundesliga season earned him the award for the league's Breakthrough Player. In July 2015, he signed for Premier League club Liverpool.

Firmino made his international debut for Brazil in November 2014 and represented the nation at the 2015 Copa América.

Club career

Early career

Born in Maceió, Alagoas, Firmino joined Figueirense's youth setup in 2008, aged 17, after starting out at CRB.[2] He was discovered by a dentist, Marcellus Portella.[3] With the latter, he was mainly used as a defensive midfielder.[4]

Firmino made his professional debut on 24 October 2009, coming on as a half-time substitute for Toninho in a 1–2 home loss against Ponte Preta, for the Série B championship.[5] In January 2010 he was definitely promoted to the main squad.

Firmino scored his first professional goal on 8 May 2010, netting the winner in an away success against São Caetano.[6] He contributed with eight goals in 36 appearances during the season, as Figueira returned to Série A after a two-year absence.

Hoffenheim

Firmino playing for 1899 Hoffenheim in 2014.

Firmino signed with Hoffenheim in December 2010, with the contract running until June 2015.[7] He formally arrived at Hoffenheim on 1 January 2011.[8] Then Hoffenheim manager Ernst Tanner commented that they were "pleased to hire a Brazilian talent".[9] He made his debut a month later in a Bundesliga defeat against Mainz, where he came on as a 75th-minute substitute for Sebastian Rudy.[1] He scored his first goal for the club on 16 April, the only goal of a league victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.[10]

He was dropped from the first-team squad along with Chinedu Obasi at the end of November 2011 for showing up late for training, missing the league match against Bayer Leverkusen.[11] He would score two more goals that season, against Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach.[1] In the 2012–13 season, Firmino made 36 appearances and scored seven goals.[1]

Team captain Andreas Beck hailed Firmino's development as "outstanding".[12] On 27 March 2014, Firmino extended his contract with the club, signing a three-year extension.[13] He finished the 2013–14 Bundesliga season tied as the fourth highest scorer with 16 goals,[14] and was named the league's Breakthrough Player.[15]

Liverpool

On 23 June 2015, while he was competing for Brazil at the Copa América, Hoffenheim and Firmino agreed terms for him to transfer to Premier League club Liverpool for up to £29 million on conclusion of the tournament, subject to a work permit.[16] Liverpool confirmed the signing the following day, subject to a medical.[17] The deal was finalised on 4 July.[18]

Firmino made his Liverpool debut in a pre-season friendly away to Swindon Town on 2 August,[19] and his league debut a week later, replacing Jordon Ibe for the final 12 minutes of a 1–0 win at Stoke City.[20] On 22 November, Firmino scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 4–1 victory over Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.[21] In January 2016, Firmino was described by Paul Little of the Irish Examiner as steadily improving during his first season in England,[22] although an inability to combine with centre forward Christian Benteke drew criticism.[23]

However, in 2016 Firmino's form improved as manager Jürgen Klopp played him alone up front in a False 9 role.[24] 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.[25] With his form improved, Firmino was voted to be Liverpool's Player of the Month in January.[26] Firmino ended the season as Liverpool's league top scorer with ten goals.[27]

International career

Firmino playing against Austria in 2014

Firmino said that it was his "dream" to play in the national team though he had no "contact with national team manager Dunga".[28] On 23 October 2014, Firmino received his first call up to Brazil national football team for the friendly matches against Turkey and Austria. He commented, "I'm very happy about the nomination and would especially like to thank the team".[29] He debuted in a 4–0 win over Turkey on 12 November, replacing fellow debutant Luiz Adriano for the last 17 minutes.[30] Firmino scored his first goal six days later in the latter match, a 2–1 away win.[31]

In May 2015, Firmino was included in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2015 Copa América to be held in Chile.[32] On 21 June, he scored in a 2–1 defeat of Venezuela to qualify the Seleção for the knockout stage as Group C winners.[33]

Style of play

Firmino primarily plays as an attacking midfielder,[34] but he can also play as a winger, forward or as a central midfielder, with Firmino using his speed, close control and vision wherever he is deployed.[35]

Ryan Babel, a teammate of Firmino's at Hoffenheim, described him as "a tricky player. 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 stature. Babel also stated that Firmino had a humble mentality and no problems with attitude.[18]

Career statistics

Club

As of 4 December 2016.[1]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Figueirense 2009 20————20
2010 368———1545112
Total 3880000001545312
1899 Hoffenheim 2010–11 113————113
2011–12 30730———337
2012–13 33510——22367
2013–14 331646———3722
2014–15 33733———3610
Total 14038119—002215349
Liverpool 2015–16[36] 31100050131—4911
2016–17[37] 1350021——156
Total 44150071131006417
Total 223621197113117627078

    International

    As of 7 October 2016.[38]
    Brazil national team
    YearAppsGoals
    201421
    201593
    201611
    Total125

    International goals

    Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first:[1]
    Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
    1. 18 November 2014 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria  Austria 2–1 2–1 Friendly[31]
    2. 29 March 2015 Emirates Stadium, London, England  Chile 1–0 1–0 Friendly[39]
    3. 10 June 2015 Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil  Honduras 1–0 1–0 Friendly
    4. 21 June 2015 Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Santiago, Chile  Venezuela 2–0 2–1 2015 Copa América
    5 6 October 2016 Arena das Dunas, Natal, Brazil  Bolivia 5–0 5–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

    Honours

    Individual

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Roberto Firmino profile at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
    2. ↑ "De volante no CRB a alvo de ingleses, Firmino emociona amigo de Maceió" [From a defensive midfielder at CRB to English clubs' target, Firmino thrills a friend from Maceió] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
    3. ↑ "Firmino was destined for top". Daily Mirror. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
    4. ↑ "Primeiro técnico de Firmino no CRB rasga elogios e revela: "Era volante"" [Firmino's first manager at CRB praises him and reveals: "He was a defensive midfielder"] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
    5. ↑ "Figueirense perde para a Ponte Preta e vê G-4 se distanciar" [Figueirense loses to Ponte Preta and sees G-4 more distant] (in Portuguese). ZH Esportes. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
    6. ↑ "Figueirense estreia com vitória em cima do São Caetano" [Figueirense debuts with victory over São Caetano] (in Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
    7. ↑ "Official: Hoffenheim Sign Roberto Firmino From Figueirense". Goal.com. 14 December 2010.
    8. ↑ Roberto Firmino profile at Fussballdaten
    9. ↑ "Hoffenheim contrata Roberto Firmino, do Figueirense" [Hoffenheim sign Figueirense's Roberto Firmino]. Esportes Estadao. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
    10. ↑ "Eintracht stürzt weiter ab". FR-Online. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
    11. ↑ "Chinedu Obasi dropped from Hoffenheim squad". BBC Sport. 30 November 2011.
    12. ↑ "Roberto Firmino: "Ich bin wie befreit"". Kicker. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
    13. ↑ "Roberto Firmino verlängert Vertrag bis 2017". TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (in German). 27 March 2014.
    14. ↑ "Top scorers 2013/2014".
    15. 1 2 "Breakthrough of the Season". bundesliga.com. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
    16. ↑ Smith, Ben (23 June 2015). "Roberto Firmino: Liverpool agree £29m deal for Brazil striker". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
    17. ↑ Carroll, James (24 June 2015). "Liverpool complete Firmino signing". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
    18. 1 2 Jones, Neil (4 July 2015). "Roberto Firmino will bring joy to Liverpool FC fans, says Ryan Babel". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
    19. ↑ Jones, Neil (2 August 2015). "Christian Benteke: Liverpool striker scores in Swindon friendly". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
    20. ↑ Hafez, Shamoon (9 August 2015). "Stoke 0-1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
    21. ↑ "Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp masterminds stunning win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
    22. ↑ Little, Paul (22 January 2016). "Klopp must counter cultural legacy to free Benteke potential". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
    23. ↑ "Jurgen Klopp says Christian Benteke has Liverpool future". Sky Sports. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
    24. ↑ Rej, Arindam (23 January 2016). "Norwich 4 Liverpool 5: five things we learnt". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
    25. ↑ Ankers, George (23 January 2016). "Is Roberto Firmino finally paying off Liverpool's £29m investment?". Goal.com. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
    26. ↑ "Firmino picks up first Player of the Month award". 4 February 2016.
    27. ↑ "All Games Goalscorers 2015-2016". LFCstats. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
    28. ↑ "Firmino: "Ich will noch viel mehr"". Kicker. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
    29. ↑ "Dunga beruft Roberto Firmino in die Seleçao". Kicker. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
    30. ↑ "Roberto Firmino feiert Debüt bei Neymar-Show". Kicker. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
    31. 1 2 "Roberto Firmino strikes late winner". BBC. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
    32. ↑ "2015 Copa America squad lists". ESPN. 28 May 2015.
    33. ↑ "Brazil v Venezuela: 2-1 win sees Dunga side progress in Copa America despite Neymar absence". Fox Sports. 22 June 2015.
    34. ↑ "Roberto Firmino". National Football Teams. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
    35. ↑ "Roberto Firmino". liverpoolfc.com. Liverpool Football Club. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
    36. ↑ "Games played by Roberto Firmino in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
    37. ↑ "Games played by Roberto Firmino in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
    38. ↑ "Roberto Firmino". National Footbal Teams. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
    39. ↑ "Brazil 1-0 Chile". BBC. Retrieved 29 March 2015.

    External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Roberto Firmino.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/5/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.