27 November 2023 , 09:01
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Former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino has paid an emotional tribute to his late father after his death last week.
Jose Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira was visiting his son in Dubai during the international break when he suddenly passed away. Firmino now plays in Saudi Arabia, having left Liverpool in the summer transfer window to join Al-Ahli.
Mr Oliveira had been a regular attendee at Anfield during his son's successful spell with the Reds. He had been due to move to Saudi to join the former Premier League winner in the Middle East.
But he tragically suffered a fatal heart attack in the early hours of 18 November and passed away aged 62. On Sunday, Firmino paid a heartbreaking tribute to his father, thanking God for the time they had together.
Firmino's tribute came on Instagram with a series of black and white photos. He started the caption with a passage from the bible: "'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith'. 2 timothy 4 : 7. Father, just like you, speaking in public has never been my forte. I've always struggled to put into words my feelings, but it's NEVER, EVER been this hard.
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"In the midst of so much pain, that I have never felt before in my life, I thank God for the privilege of having you rested in my arms, seeing your last breath took a piece of me, but it didn't take away everything we lived together and not my faith and that it gives me the strength to carry on.
"After your death, the Holy Spirit brought me back to memory all our beautiful moments since my childhood and how proud of you, Varão, you were such a good person, loved by everyone, a fighter.
"One of the greatest joys the Lord has given me without a doubt was his baptism and so father I carry on because I know soon we will be together. You were proud to wear my shirts, but I was proud to have a father who cheered for me so much.
"Thank you Father. Everything I am and everything I have is because of you. I pray that God will empower me to honor his name, love and care until the day he calls me too. I love you pole!
“'Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, even though he dies, yet shall he live'. João 11 : 25."
Several of Firmino's former team-mates at Liverpool sent in messages of support, with Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replying to his post with the love heart emoji.
His boyhood club in Brazil, Clube de Regatas Brasil, added their own tribute to Mr Oliveira. They wrote on social media: "The Clube de Regatas Brasil deeply regrets the death of Jose 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, Jose Roberto."