Roberto Firmino reveals he copied Ronaldo’s bizarre 2002 World Cup haircut as a 10-year-old

ROBERTO FIRMINO is looking to join the great Brazilian strikers to have won the World Cup.

And he has already emulated Ronaldo at the age of 10 – by getting the same bizarre haircut ‘O Fenomeno’ had when firing his nation to glory in 2002.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, the Liverpool ace said: “I lived every kick of that World Cup. 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.

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“That team was amazing and crowned champions – something else Ronaldo did that I’d like to copy…”

In October 2016, before Brazil played Bolivia in World Cup qualifying, the striker wore a ponytail copied from Brazilian pop singer Wesley Safadao – which translates as ‘Naughty Wesley’ in English.

Supporters in Natal, a city close to Firmino’s Maceio, gushed over it.

They pressured Brazil coach Tite to field Firmino during the entire first half. When Firmino finally joined in and scored from a header in the 6-0 win, the crowd started chanting “Vai, Safadao!” (Go, Naughty Boy).

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Speaking from Brazil’s World Cup training camp, Firmino said: “I loved it. Good vibe.”

His shockingly white teeth, flamboyant dress code, and short frank answers made him even more beloved at home, where he played for only one full season at tiny Figueirense, when it was in the second division.

Firmino added: “I love Safadao, it is an honor to be compared. But I am never having that hairstyle again. Too much work.”