Roberto Firmino (foto: Getty Images)
Roberto Firmino, one of Al Ahli's star players, faces an unexpected setback as the Saudi club fails to register him for the league's second half due to a foreign player quota issue.
Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia has made headlines after excluding Roberto Firmino from its domestic league squad for the second half of the season. This shocking decision stems from the club exceeding the league's limit on foreign players, forcing them to leave out one of their biggest stars.
The Saudi Pro League has become synonymous with lavish spending, but it has also been the stage for some surprising and questionable decisions. For Firmino, who joined Al Ahli after a successful stint at Liverpool, this exclusion represents a significant blow. The Brazilian striker has found himself sidelined following the club's acquisition of compatriot Galen from Porto.
"It was a difficult decision. We appreciate what Firmino has done for this club and he has always behaved like a great professional. He is still one of the leaders of this team," said Al Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle.
As a result, Firmino will only be eligible to play in the Asian Champions League. So far this season, he has scored nine goals in 25 appearances for Al Ahli. Despite this contribution, the technical nature of the league's foreign player rules has led to his exclusion.
In Brazil, media reports are already linking Firmino with a potential return to his homeland. One of the nation's biggest clubs, Palmeiras, is rumored to be closely monitoring his situation, hinting at a possible move in the near future.
Firmino's exclusion underscores the challenges and unexpected outcomes of Saudi Arabia's high-profile football revolution, where even top-tier players can face situations as unusual as this one.