The Brazilian dentist who discovered Roberto Firmino

Firmino’s entry to Europe came when the German club Hoffenheim signed him in the year 2011

Roberto Firmino was about 15 years old playing for local side Clube de Regatas Brasil when a chance meeting with a dentist changed his destiny. He was then a talented young lad hungry for attention but too shy to make any noticeable impact. And here we are at the close of the year 2015, and the mighty back fours of England hold meetings to discuss how to stop the growing threat of this new striker.

The fact, however, remains that it was a dental surgeon at Clube de Regatas Brasil, who goes by the name of Marcellus Portella, who discovered the latent talent that lurked deep within Firmino.

“When I saw him play for the first time, I could see that he was a very talented player. But no one was interested in him. When I said that one day he would represent the national team, they told me I was crazy.” The Daily Mirror quotes Portello.

Firmino started out his footballing career with CRB where he was mainly employed as a defensive midfielder. Portella, one of the doctors at the club, noticed him and took him under his care. He also became his representative, travelling around South America trying to convince various clubs to give his new found talent a chance.

Firmino joined Figueirense in 2009. It was difficult for someone to not notice him as he had scored two overhead kicks during the first hour of his first trial session. Firmino’s entry to Europe came when the German club Hoffenheim signed him in the year 2011.

By the end of the 2013-14 Bundesliga season, Firmino had netted 16 goals. During his 66 appearances for Hoffenheim, he was instrumental in scoring 45 goals. He was honoured as the league’s Breakthrough Player of that year. He was the fourth highest scorer.

The shy coconut seller who got a Brazil call-up

Firmino has recently made his national appearance for Brazil. He holds the record of scoring 4 goals from his 9 matches for the national team. Portello’s influence was key to his call from the Brazil team as well.

“When I found out I was called up, I let out a huge scream! I ran around with joy,” says Firmino.

Firmino with Marcellus Portella

Roberto Firmino was born in the city of Maceio, Brazil. Maceio is a city in the coastal state of Alagoas, Brazil and has a notorious fame for a high crime rate. As a child Firmino made money by selling coconuts on the beach; he was so shy that he didn’t bother to correct his coach when he addressed him as ‘Alberto’ during his first two weeks at Figueirense.

He drew his motivation from the fact that he wanted to offer his family better living standards. This burning impetus has seen Firmino rise from the streets of Brazil to the stadium at Anfield with a $29 million transfer, making him the club’s second costliest purchase after Andy Carroll. Firmino is one of the most promising young forwards of the game with a gifted right foot. He is one of the key players of Liverpool, who keep the hopes of the club’s return to top four alive.

Marcellus Portella continues to work with him to this day.