History of Roberto Firmino in Timeline
Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira is a Brazilian professional soccer player. He is the captain of the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, where he plays as a forward or attacking midfielder.
October 1991: Birth of Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino was born in October 1991.
2008: Joining Figueirense's Youth Setup
At the age of 17, Roberto Firmino joined Figueirense's youth setup in 2008 after being discovered by dentist Marcellus Portella while playing for CRB.
October 2009: First-Team Debut
Roberto Firmino made his professional debut for Figueirense on October 24, 2009, as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 home loss to Ponte Preta in Série B.
2009: Start of Firmino's Professional Career
Roberto Firmino began his professional football career in 2009 with Figueirense.
May 2010: First Professional Goal
On May 8, 2010, Roberto Firmino scored his first professional goal, which was the game-winner in an away victory against São Caetano. He helped Figueirense FC return to Série A after a two-year absence.
December 2010: Signing with TSG Hoffenheim
Roberto Firmino signed with TSG Hoffenheim in December 2010, with the contract set to last until June 2015.
January 2011: Arrival at Hoffenheim
Roberto Firmino officially joined Hoffenheim on January 1, 2011.
November 2011: Disciplinary Action at Hoffenheim
In November 2011, Roberto Firmino, along with teammate Chinedu Obasi, was dropped from the Hoffenheim first team for arriving late to training, causing them to miss the league game against Bayer Leverkusen.
2012: Successful Season at Hoffenheim
Roberto Firmino had a productive 2012-2013 season with Hoffenheim, appearing in 36 games across all competitions and netting seven goals.
July 2013: Transfer Bid from Lokomotiv Moscow
Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow made a €12 million offer for Roberto Firmino in July 2013.
August 2013: Praise for Development at Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim captain Andreas Beck commended Roberto Firmino's progress in August 2013, calling it "outstanding".
2013: Bundesliga Breakthrough Player Award
Roberto Firmino's performance in the 2013-2014 Bundesliga season earned him the league's Breakthrough Player award.
March 2014: Contract Extension with Hoffenheim
On March 27, 2014, Roberto Firmino extended his contract with Hoffenheim for an additional three years.
November 2014: International Debut for Brazil
Roberto Firmino made his debut for the Brazilian national team in November 2014.
May 2015: Firmino Selected for Copa América
Roberto Firmino was included in the Brazilian squad for the 2015 Copa América held in Chile.
June 2015: Agreement Reached for Liverpool Transfer
On June 23, 2015, Hoffenheim and Roberto Firmino reached an agreement for him to move to Liverpool, a Premier League team, for a fee that could reach £29 million upon the completion of the tournament, contingent on obtaining a work permit.
June 2015: End of Contract with TSG Hoffenheim
Roberto Firmino's contract with TSG Hoffenheim came to an end in June 2015.
July 2015: Firmino Signs with Liverpool
In July 2015, Roberto Firmino signed with Liverpool FC, marking a significant step in his career.
2015: Copa América Participation
Roberto Firmino represented Brazil in the 2015 Copa América.
January 2016: Assessment of First Season at Liverpool
Paul Little of the Irish Examiner noted in January 2016 that Roberto Firmino had progressively improved throughout his debut season in England, though his struggles to connect with striker Christian Benteke drew some criticism.
December 2016: Drunk Driving Arrest
In December 2016, Firmino faced legal trouble when he was arrested for drunk driving.
2016: Recognition as Liverpool's Engine
Firmino's relentless energy and defensive work rate earned him recognition as the "engine" of Liverpool's dynamic counter-attacking style during the 2016-2017 season.
2016: Successful Season and Notable Goals
Roberto Firmino enjoyed a successful 2016-2017 season, highlighted by scoring his first goal of the season on August 23 in a 5-0 win against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup's second round. He continued his scoring form in the league, netting a brace in a 4-1 victory over Leicester City on September 10, becoming the first player to score in front of Anfield's new Main Stand in that game.
2016: Improved Form and Recognition
Roberto Firmino's performance improved in 2016 under manager Jürgen Klopp's guidance, particularly in a false 9 role. His standout displays, including braces against Arsenal and Norwich City, earned him comparisons to players like Raheem Sterling and Luis Suárez, culminating in him being named Liverpool's Player of the Month in January.
February 2017: Sentencing and Consequences
In February 2017, Firmino received his sentence at the Liverpool Magistrates' Court for his drunk driving charge from December 2016. He was fined £20,000 and had his driving license revoked for one year.
June 2017: Marriage to Larissa Pereira
Roberto Firmino married Larissa Pereira in his hometown in June 2017.
2017: Praise from Thierry Henry
In 2017, Firmino's diverse skillset was lauded by Thierry Henry, who called him "the most complete striker in the Premier League." Notably, defender Nathan Aké also acknowledged Firmino as his toughest opponent due to his versatility.
2017: Shirt Number Change and Key Goals
Roberto Firmino switched to jersey number 9 before the 2017-2018 season, allowing new acquisition Mohamed Salah to wear number 11. Firmino scored his first goal of the season on August 12, converting a penalty in a 3-3 draw with Watford.
2017: The "Fab Four" and "Fab Three"
The 2017 season saw the formation of Liverpool's dynamic attacking quartet: Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho, and Sadio Mané, famously known as the "Fab Four". After Coutinho's departure, the remaining trio became the "Fab Three", achieving a remarkable 91 goals collectively. Notably, Firmino and Salah finished as Liverpool's top scorers in the Champions League with an impressive 11 goals each.
January 2018: Controversy in Everton Match
During an FA Cup game against rivals Everton on January 5, 2018, Roberto Firmino was involved in a contentious incident with Everton defender Mason Holgate. Following a physical altercation where Holgate shoved Firmino into the advertising boards, an exchange of words ensued, with Firmino allegedly directing an insult at Holgate. Holgate subsequently accused Firmino of racial abuse, a claim that Firmino refuted. The Football Association initiated an investigation into the matter the following day.
January 2018: Liverpool Ends Manchester City's Unbeaten Streak
Roberto Firmino scored in a thrilling 4-3 victory against Manchester City in January 2018, ending their impressive unbeaten run in the league.
2018: UEFA Champions League Victory
Roberto Firmino won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in the 2018-2019 season.
January 2019: Firmino Scores Liverpool's 1,000th Goal at Anfield
In January 2019, Roberto Firmino etched his name in Liverpool's history books by scoring the club's 1,000th goal at their home ground, Anfield, during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace, which resulted in a 4-3 win for Liverpool.
May 2019: Copa América Triumph for Firmino
Roberto Firmino was an integral part of the Brazilian squad that lifted the 2019 Copa América title on home soil. He played the entire final match against Peru, which Brazil won with a score of 3-1.
August 2019: Super Cup Triumph and a Historic Premier League Feat
Roberto Firmino came off the bench in the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, assisting Sadio Mané's two goals and converting the first penalty in the shootout to secure a 5-4 victory against Chelsea. Later that month, Firmino etched his name in Premier League history, becoming the first Brazilian to reach 50 goals in the competition, achieving this milestone during a 3-0 win against Burnley.
2019: UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and Premier League Titles
In 2019, Firmino won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final. He also helped Liverpool secure the 2019-2020 Premier League title.
2019: Champions League Glory for Firmino and Liverpool
In the 2019 Champions League Final, Roberto Firmino started for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur after recovering from an injury. He played for an hour before being substituted. Liverpool went on to secure a 2-0 victory, crowning themselves champions of Europe.
2019: Club World Cup Success for Firmino
In the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, Roberto Firmino emerged as the hero for Liverpool. He scored the winning goals in both the semi-final against Monterrey (2-1) and the final against Flamengo, leading Liverpool to their first-ever Club World Cup title. Firmino was honored with the man of the match award for his exceptional performance in the final. Later in the 2019-2020 season, he added another feather to his cap by winning the prestigious Premier League title with Liverpool.
2019: Copa América Participation
Roberto Firmino participated in the Copa América with the Brazilian national team in 2019.
2020: Baptism and Faith
In 2020, Firmino, a devout Christian, decided to get baptized. The ceremony took place in the swimming pool of his Liverpool teammate, Alisson.
2020: Tactical Evolution at Liverpool
Starting in the 2020-2021 season, Firmino experienced a shift in his playing style at Liverpool. While he had thrived as a False 9 under Jurgen Klopp, he was increasingly deployed as a central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This adaptation showcased his versatility while demanding a high work rate in pressing.
May 2021: Firmino's Brace and Captaincy Debut
Roberto Firmino was instrumental in Liverpool's 4-2 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford in May 2021, scoring two crucial goals. This marked Liverpool's first win at Old Trafford since March 2014. In the following game against West Bromwich Albion, Firmino captained Liverpool for the first time, becoming the sixteenth player to wear the armband under manager Jürgen Klopp.
2021: Copa América Participation
Roberto Firmino was part of the Brazilian squad for the 2021 Copa América.
July 2022: Community Shield Victory for Firmino and Liverpool
Roberto Firmino was in the starting lineup as Liverpool clinched the FA Community Shield title with a convincing 3-1 victory over Manchester City at the King Power Stadium in July 2022.
August 2022: Firmino Nets Century of Goals for Liverpool
Roberto Firmino reached a significant milestone in August 2022, scoring his 100th goal for Liverpool during a remarkable 9-0 rout of AFC Bournemouth, further solidifying his place in the club's history.
November 2022: Expanding the Family
In November 2022, Roberto Firmino and Larissa Pereira announced they were expecting their fourth child.
2022: Champions League Final and Quadruple Pursuit
Roberto Firmino was part of the Liverpool squad that finished as runners-up in the 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League, losing to Real Madrid in the final. Despite the setback, Liverpool had a remarkable season, winning both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup while narrowly missing out on the Premier League title and the Champions League, falling short of a historic quadruple.
March 2023: Firmino Announces Departure from Liverpool
In March 2023, Roberto Firmino made the decision not to renew his contract with Liverpool, marking the end of an era for both the player and the club. He is set to depart at the end of the 2022-2023 season. Manager Jürgen Klopp expressed surprise at the decision but acknowledged Firmino's immense contributions and wished him well.
May 2023: Emotional Farewell and Legacy Secured
Roberto Firmino bid an emotional farewell to Anfield, scoring a late equalizer against Aston Villa in his final home appearance for Liverpool. He continued his scoring form by netting in his last-ever game for the club, assisted by fellow Brazilian Fabinho, as Liverpool drew 4-4 with Southampton to finish the season in fifth place. In recognition of his significant contributions to the club, a mural was dedicated to Firmino in Liverpool, which he visited before his departure. Firmino departed Liverpool as a revered figure, holding the record for the highest-scoring Brazilian player in both Liverpool's history and the Premier League, having amassed an impressive tally of 82 goals.
July 2023: Firmino Joins Al-Ahli
Roberto Firmino embarked on a new chapter in his career in July 2023, joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli. He signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2026.
August 2023: Hat-trick Hero on Al-Ahli Debut
Roberto Firmino made an immediate impact at his new club, Al-Ahli, by scoring a hat-trick in his first competitive match against Al-Hazem.
2023: Transfer to Al-Ahli
After eight years with Liverpool, Roberto Firmino departed as a free agent in 2023 to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.
2026: Firmino's Contract with Al-Ahli
Roberto Firmino's contract with Al-Ahli is set to run until 2026.
