Former Liverpool and Brazil forward Roberto Firmino has become a pastor of an evangelical church that he founded in Maceio, Brazil, alongside his wife Larissa Pereira.

According to Brazilian news outlet Globo, via Liverpool Echo, it took place on Sunday, June 30.

In a statement on social media, Firmino and Pereira said: “Since our first encounter with Christ, a desire burned in our hearts. We want people to feel this love that reached us. Now we have another desire and responsibility: to become pastors on behalf of God.”

This is not the first time Firmino has shared a religious message on social media. He was baptised in 2020, shortly after his wife.

The baptism occurred in a swimming pool in Liverpool before he opened Manah Church in Maceio, the following year.

“Jesus is love, there is no explanation. Just believe in him, just believe and feel the Holy Spirit,” he said at the time of his baptism.

Firmino left Liverpool last summer after eight years at the club. The 31-year-old scored 111 goals and added 75 assists in 362 appearances for the Reds.

During his time at the Reds he won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, Carabao Cup and the FA Cup among several other major trophies.

However, he departed to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli 12 months ago but has not quite hit the desired level, having scored just nine times and grabbed seven assists in 34 matches.