FIRMINO EXITS AL-AHLI AFTER SNUB

Roberto Firmino could be heading for a new chapter in his career, with reports indicating that he may leave Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli following a mid-season decision that saw him dropped from the squad. The Brazilian forward moved to Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023 after a long stint at Liverpool, where he had been a pivotal player for many years. Despite making 59 appearances for Al-Ahli, contributing 18 goals and 12 assists, Firmino’s time with the club now appears to be in jeopardy due to a strict Saudi Pro League rule limiting the number of foreign players in a squad.

Upon signing for Al-Ahli, Firmino was a major acquisition for the club, joining a squad that now boasts stars like Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, and Franck Kessie. His leadership and contributions have been central to the team’s success. However, the league restricts clubs to just 10 foreign players at a time, and Al-Ahli had already reached this limit. The club subsequently made the decision to sign Galeno, the Brazilian forward from Porto, for a fee of around £42 million in January. To accommodate the new arrival, Firmino was the unfortunate player dropped from the squad, making him ineligible to participate in the league for the rest of the season.

This decision has sparked speculation over Firmino’s future, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that clubs are already expected to make moves for the 31-year-old. Despite his contract with Al-Ahli running until 2026, Firmino’s situation has changed significantly since his arrival. His recent omission from the squad and the club’s focus on fresh signings suggest that it could be the right time for him to consider options elsewhere. While he remains a key figure in the team and is still eligible to play in the Asian Champions League, the shifting dynamics at the club may have convinced Firmino that a move could be in his best interest.

Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle expressed that the decision to drop Firmino was difficult, stating that it was made due to league regulations. He also acknowledged Firmino’s professionalism in dealing with the situation, emphasizing that the striker remains one of the club’s leaders despite the setback. This situation, however, marks a turning point in Firmino’s career with the Saudi club.

Firmino, widely regarded as one of the best Premier League players of all time, according to FourFourTwo’s list, now finds himself at a crossroads. Although his value is estimated at around €6 million, Firmino may look to return to Brazil or pursue opportunities in other leagues. His Brazilian roots and the success of players like Neymar, who recently returned to Santos from Saudi Arabia, have fueled speculation that Firmino may consider a similar path. A potential return to Brazil for Firmino, who started his career in his home country, wouldn’t be a surprise.

The timing of his next move is uncertain, but with clubs likely to show interest, Firmino’s future will be a topic of keen attention in the coming months. As he faces an unexpected end to his time at Al-Ahli, Firmino’s next destination could be pivotal in determining how the final stages of his illustrious career unfold.