SAMBA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
Boys from Brazil are at home
Roberto Firmino and his Brazi l ian Premier League pals are ready to bring Samba Claus to town.
The Liverpool star is one of 19 Brazil- born top-flight players who face a very different Christmas to back home.
The average Christmas Day temperature on Merseyside is eight degrees, compared to a sweltering 30 in Rio de Janeiro.
But Firmino, who spent the day on the beach as a kid, insists tha t tinsel and snow in Britain does bring some compensation.
He said: “Christmas here is very different from the one in Brazil – both on and off the pitch.
“But I’ve been here since 2015 and I’ve already got used to playing on these dates.
“When I played in Germany the league stopped but here it is played so the fans can enjoy Christmas better.
“I don’t mind that at all because we play for the supporters.”
But Firmino, who will face country man Kenedy when Liverpool play Newcastle on Boxing Day, admits there is no comparison between Christmas in Brazil and Britain.
He said: “Christmas here, when I am not playing, is at home with my family with lots of food and products from Brazil. We exchange gifts like everyone – and they have to be an absolute secret
“In Brazil, Christmas is celebrated in another way. The heat, the summer, the beach, very different clothes. It is the opposite of here. “Having your whole family together is the most important thing. But I’m a professional and you have to adapt to your place of work.”
Firmino isn’t the on ly Samba star having to get used to the cold in December.
There are his Kop buddies Fabinho and Alisson, Chelsea’s David Luiz and Willian, Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho, Ederson a nd Da n i lo at Manchester City and Fred at United.
You can also add to the list Chelsea’s Jorginho, who plays for Italy but was born in a small coastal town in Brazil.
Jorginho said: “I come from a place cal led Imbituba and Christmas there’s very different.
“Imbituba is a place that is very relaxed – just the beach, the sun and no traffic!
“Christmas here will feel different but I’m looking forward to it.”