In Brazil

As a side job! Ex-Liverpool footballer is now a pastor

Former Brazilian international footballer Roberto Firmino is now officially an evangelical pastor. He was appointed to the position in a festive ceremony in his home town of Maceio. However, the 32-year-old is not hanging up his soccer boots as a result. 

In 2023, he answered the call of the "desert" in the sporting arena, but now Firmino also feels called to higher things spiritually. The former Liverpool striker is now officially an evangelical pastor in his home parish of Maceio. A solemn ceremony took place there last weekend, as an Instagram post by Firmino shows. 

The venue was the Manah Church, which he founded together with his wife Larissa Pereira and two pastors three years ago. "What a memorable and unforgettable night. Ever since we came to know Christ, we have wanted people to experience this love too. Now we have another responsibility: to be pastors," writes the 32-year-old under the photo of the ceremony. 

Remains in the "desert"
However, his new vocation should have no impact on his career as a professional footballer. Last summer, the attacking player left his long-standing club Liverpool FC and moved to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.

In the "desert", the former Brazilian international is set to earn a salary of around 20 million euros. Pastor, on the other hand, is probably only a passionate player.