Roberto Firmino lost his father Jose Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira, who tragically passed away on a family trip to Dubai on Saturday night, November 18.
The former Liverpool star’s father José Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira was on a family trip in Dubai when he fell sick.
According to The Sun, the 62-year-old suffered a heart attack while on the trip, and the family is currently working to bring his body back to their home city of Maceió, Brazil, for burial.
This heartbreaking news has been confirmed by close friends and Firmino’s press manager
Photos shared by the family earlier in the week showed them enjoying their time in Dubai before the tragedy struck.
Roberto Firmino lost a hero
Firmino held his father in high esteem and dedicated a section of his book ‘Si Senor – My Liverpool Years’ to him, describing José as his childhood hero, inspiration, and example.
Despite now playing for Al-Ahli, Firmino maintained an excellent relationship with his father, as evidenced by the tribute in his book.
In his autobiography, Al-Ahli star Firmino writes: “Not all heroes wear capes; some are called Dad.
“My father, José, was my childhood hero, an inspiration and an example.”
“A generous, serious, honest man dedicated to the family.”
One of his friends, speaking to local media, mentioned that José was a kind and funny person, making his unexpected passing even more shocking.
He wrote: “He was a very good guy. He had a very good soul and was very funny. This was very unexpected.”
Firmino’s boyhood club, Clube de Regatas Brasil expressed deep regret at the passing of Roberto Firmino’s father, and described him as a devoted Galo de Campina fan who was proud of his son’s football career with the team.
The club offered their condolences and wished José Roberto rest in peace.
Firmino’s boyhood club CRB said: “The Clube de Regatas Brasil deeply regrets the death of José Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira, father of Roberto Firmino, who left us this weekend.
“He’s always been a big Galo de Campina fan and was very proud of his son being unveiled in football with the whirlpool shirt.
“Rest in peace, José Roberto.”
Liverpool also offered their condolences to former LFC striker Roberto Firmino, who tragically lost his father to a heart attack at the age of 62.
After spending eight years at Anfield, Firmino departed Liverpool last summer to join Saudi Arabia club Al-Ahli.
He joined the Reds from Hoffenheim in 2015 and was part of the squad that won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.
What’s next for Firmino?
Roberto Firmino is expected to play for Al-Ahli next Saturday, November 25 in their match against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League. So far, he has played 14 games with Al-Ahli and scored 3 goals for the Saudi side.
We at futballnews expressed our sincere condolences to the ex-Liverpool star. May Jose Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira‘s soul rest in peace.
