Saudi Pro League Overdrive: Roberto Firmino Joins Al-Ahli
- As free agent following Liverpool’s exit
The invasion of the Kingdom of South Arabia by aging and retiring football stars continues on a steady path with Brazilian international, Roberto Firmino becoming the latest addition to the big-name players ready to ply their trade in the West Asian nation.
Born Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira on October 2, 1991, he has now joined Al-Alhi on a free transfer after his Liverpool exit. Firmino becomes the latest player seeking greener pastures in the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula and has signed a three-year contract.
In bidding farewell to the English Premiership, he is following in the footsteps of five-time Ballon d’Or winner and former Manchester United star, Cristiano Ronaldo; ex-Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema; former Chelsea ace midfielder, N’Golo Kante; and Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who have all made Saudi Arabia their football tourism destination.
With the latest development, the Brazilian midfielder will be the teammate of Mendy, who also moved to Al-Ahli from Chelsea, irmino will link up with Al-Ahli as they continue to prepare for the 2023/24 season. in the 2023/24 season.
Firmino spent eight years at Liverpool and scored 13 goals in 35 appearances last season. During his time with the Reds, he won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
After starting his career with the Brazilian club, Figueirense in 2009, Firmino spent four-and-a-half seasons at the German side, TSG Hoffenheim. His 16 goals in 33 games in the 2013–14 Bundesliga season earned him the award for the league’s Breakthrough Player.
In July 2015, he signed for Liverpool where he earned plaudits for his creativity, goalscoring, and work rate, with Manager Jürgen Klopp referring to Firmino as the “engine” that propels the club’s counter-pressing system. He formed a formidable attacking trio with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané after the departure of Philippe Coutinho.
Firmino made his international debut for Brazil in November 2014 and represented the South American nation at the 2015, 2019, and 2021 Copes América, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
