After his departure from Liverpool in the summer of 2023, Roberto Firmino signed a three-year contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli.

The move marked a major shift in his career, taking him from the Premier League spotlight to a league undergoing rapid transformation.

Firmino’s transfer was part of a wave of high-profile moves to the Saudi Pro League, which has been aggressively investing in global football talent.

The aim has been clear: raise the league’s profile and make it more competitive on the world stage.

Roberto Firmino to leave Al Ahli	Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino still hold impressive Champions League record	Liverpool target officially announces he will leave club at the end of the season

But Firmino’s time at Al Ahli took a tough turn midway through the season.

Despite being one of the club’s biggest signings, he was left out of the squad for domestic league matches in the second half of the campaign.

The decision came after Al Ahli signed Wenderson Galeno from Porto, pushing their foreign player count to 11—one over the Saudi Pro League limit.

The league only allows 10 foreign players per team, and head coach Matthias Jaissle had to make a difficult call.

Firmino was the one dropped to meet the quota.

That left him sidelined from league action, with his appearances limited to continental competitions where the foreign player restrictions are more relaxed.

Even so, Firmino didn’t let the situation affect his performance.

He focused on the AFC Champions League Elite and became a key figure in Al Ahli’s historic run.

In the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite, Firmino’s contributions were instrumental in Al Ahli’s historic run.

He scored six goals and provided seven assists throughout the tournament.

In the final against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, Firmino assisted both goals in a 2–0 victory, securing Al Ahli’s first-ever AFC Champions League title.

His outstanding performance earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.

According to a report from ysscores, Al Ahli’s president, Khalid Al-Ghamdi, announced that the club and Firmino had “reached a final agreement” to end his contract after the current season.

The report said, “Khalid Al-Ghamdi, the president of Al Ahli Saudi Club, announced reaching a final agreement with Brazilian star Roberto Firmino to end his contract with the team following the current season, after a comprehensive financial agreement.”

“Al-Ghamdi confirmed that the two parties reached a financial settlement that satisfies both sides, paving the way for Firmino to leave the team without any disputes, in an official step to close the chapter on the player with ‘Al-Raqi’.”

Firmino’s journey from Liverpool to Al Ahli adds a remarkable chapter to his career, highlighting his adaptability and continued impact on the pitch.

As he prepares for his next move, his legacy at both clubs remains significant.

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