He’s becoming a pastor.
Roberto Firmino, the former Brazilian soccer star celebrated for his years at Liverpool, has found a new path as a pastor at an Evangelical church in Brazil. Recently, Firmino led a consecration service at the church he co-founded with his wife, Larissa Pereira, in Maceio. On June 29, he shared images of this important event with his 15.6 million Instagram followers, describing it as an “unforgettable night” and expressing his deep gratitude.
In his post, Firmino cited Ephesians 3:20, underscoring the belief that it is God’s power, rather than human effort, that enables great accomplishments. He revealed that starting a church or holding a ministry position was never their intention, but they felt a compelling desire to share the love of Christ that had transformed their lives. Firmino emphasized their goal to be pastors who are aligned with God’s heart and work in harmony with His kingdom.
Three years ago, Firmino and Pereira established Manah Church, and in 2020, Firmino was baptized by his former teammate Alisson Becker. At his baptism, Firmino spoke about the profound love of Jesus and the importance of faith and the Holy Spirit in his life. This spiritual journey has clearly played a significant role in shaping Firmino’s life and guiding him toward his pastoral duties.
During his illustrious soccer career, Firmino won numerous titles with Liverpool, including the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and the Champions League in the 2021-22 season. He also represented Brazil 55 times and holds the record as the highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history with 82 goals.
Despite his new pastoral role, Firmino has not retired from soccer. He remains an active player for the Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli, with two years left on his contract. This ability to balance his professional soccer career with his pastoral responsibilities highlights Firmino’s commitment to both his faith and his sport.