According to Liverpool Echo, Liverpool star Roberto Firmino has been named in the Brazil squad for the first time in 14 months.
The Samba star has won 55 caps for his country, scoring 17 goals on the international stage. However, the last time he donned the famous yellow was in July 2021.
The callup augurs well for the 30-year-old ahead of this year’s FIFA World Cup. Given his age, there is every chance that this could prove to be Firmino’s last World Cup tournament and he would be keen to make the cut.
Firmino is enjoying a resurgence of sorts this season and has already bagged three goals and three assists in seven games. In a campaign where the squad has looked jaded, the Brazilian has stood out as one of our better performers.
Brazil will play two friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia on September 23 and 27 respectively. Thankfully, both the games will be played in Europe, making it easier for players based on the continent to travel.
Being selected is certainly a morale booster for the 30-year-old and will hopefully aid in him doing well for the Reds. As one of the club’s senior stars, the onus is on him to lead the club out of the current rut.
Brazil has a deep pool of attackers namely Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Richarlison, Antony, Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha. Unless Firmino steps up his game, he could find himself without a ticket to Qatar.
Liverpool stars Alisson Becker and Fabinho Tavares have also been named in the squad. Whether all three of them will receive gametime remains to be seen.
Arguably one of the best false nines in world football, Firmino is not getting younger and is better off transitioning into a playmaker. Thomas Muller has been doing it to great effect for Bayern Munich and therein could lie the solution to Firmino extending his career.
These few weeks are crucial for the former Hoffenheim star if he wants to make the plane to Qatar. Once a regular in the Selecao, he has been ousted by players younger and in better nick than him. Still, form is temporary, class is permanent.
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