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José Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira, father of the former Liverpool and Brazil striker Roberto Firmino, has died at the age of 62 after suffering a heart attack.
Jose had been on a family trip to Dubai when he fell ill. Earlier in the week, photos from the trip had been shared by family members on social media, including one which showed Jose and other family members at an amusement park.
Family members are reportedly in contact with Brazil’s embassy in the UAE in an effort to bring the 62-year-old’s body home to South America.
Brazil international forward Firmino left Liverpool last summer. He had spent eight years at the club after joining from Hoffenheim in 2015 as one of the club’s last signings before Jurgen Klopp took over as manager.
The 32-year-old scored 111 goals for the Premier League team in 362 appearances. He was part of their 2019 Champions League winning side, and scored nine league goals the following season as Klopp’s team won the Premier League for the first time.
“Not all heroes wear capes; some are called father,” Firmino wrote in his book ‘Si Senor – My Liverpool Years’. “My father, José, was my childhood hero, an inspiration and an example. A generous, serious, honest man and dedicated to his family.”
Firmino’s boyhood club, CRB, also shared a message paying tribute to the star’s father. “The Clube de Regatas Brasil deeply regrets the death of José Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira, father of Roberto Firmino, who left us this weekend,” it began.
“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.”
Firmino, who has 55 senior caps for Brazil, left Liverpool for Al-Ahli over the summer. He scored a hat-trick on his Saudi Pro League debut, and the team is currently in third place. Their next fixture is due to take place on Saturday.
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