XtraTime Web Desk: Brazilian star forward Roberto Firmino is eyeing to follow Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima by winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He revealed about emulating a style of the Brazilian legend when he was a child.
Ronaldo was the key factor behind Selecao’s World Cup glory in Japan back in 2002 with scoring eight goals in the tournament. Among them two came in the big final against Germany.
However, the great striker remembered not only for his goals at the tournament but also his bizarre hairstyle, something Firmino admits he copied as he was cheering his nation on.’I lived every kick of that World Cup,’ the Liverpool star told FourFourTwo. ‘I woke up in the night to watch it. It was one of the most memorable times of my childhood. Since then, I’ve dreamed of playing at the World Cup.
‘Brazil becoming world champions for a fifth time was a beautiful thing. I even cut my hair like Ronaldo before the semis.
‘I was completely in the World Cup vibe and loved every second. That team was amazing and crowned champions – something else Ronaldo did that I’d like to copy’.
Firmino is coming off the back of a fine campaign at Anfield and is confident Brazil have what it takes to go all the way in Russia.
‘I just need to keep working hard. I have to maintain my daily levels of dedication and try to improve as much as possible, so I’m ready and able to always give my best when the tournament starts.
‘I hope that I can do with the national team what I’ve done with Liverpool this season. Winning the World Cup would be incredible, but we’ve got to work very hard to turn this dream into reality.’
The five-time champions will start their World Cup campaign again Switzerland on June 17, later they will face Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.