Not only did the Portuguese find a way to bag one last lucrative deal before hanging them up, but also proved he could spend his sunset years playing at a high level. And that’s something other veteran stars wanted to try as well.

However, Ronaldo’s success hasn’t been easy to achieve for the rest. While the 38-year-old had a fantastic 2023 with 54 goals, many world-class players are reportedly regretting their decision to play in Saudi Arabia.

Karim Benzema

Only a few months back, Benzema received a hero’s welcome when announced by Al-Ittihad. The Frenchman was handed a mind-blowing, three-year deal reportedly worth €100m per season that could rise to €200m with commercial deals.

Things seemed to go well at the beginning, but the outlook has significantly changed recently. The striker has been the target of criticism following his team’s 5-2 loss to Al-Nassr in December, mainly because the fans demand a bigger committment from him.

That backlash saw him delete his Instagram profile, and he didn’t show up to practice for a few days. The Frenchman bagged 15 goals in 24 games so far, yet the fanbase expects a better production. This situation is reportedly making Benzema consider the idea of moving elsewhere, and according to Mundo Deportivo, PSG would be among the interested clubs in affording his €15m release clause.

Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson decided to try the Saudi Pro League experience after 12 years at Liverpool, but things haven’t gone to plan so far. The Englishman is reportedly unhappy at his new team, which is why he could also be on his way out of Saudi Arabia.

According to the Daily Mail, the 33-year-old is uncomfortable with the weather, lifestyle and culture of the country, but he’s also uninspired by the low attendance at Al-Ettifaq’s games this season, with an average of 7,800 spectators per game when the stadium has a 35,000 capacity. On top of that, Steven Gerrard’s side is 8th in the standings, 28 points shy of leaders Al-Hilal.

Let’s keep in mind, though, that Henderson reportedly signed a deal worth €40 million per year until June 2026, so leaving the club anytime soon could cost him a lot of money.

Roberto Firmino

Another player who is reportedly having a bad time in Saudi Arabia is Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian got off to a fantastic start by scoring a hat-trick in his debut, but nothing has been the same since then.

Not only has he failed to score since that game, but Bobby has also been removed from the starting eleven at Al-Ahli, coming off the bench in the last seven games. According to UOL, the former Liverpool striker is willing to give up his €22 million-a-year salary by leaving the club.

Firmino detailed that he played the role as a kind of “firefighter” between the strong personalities of two of the club’s top stars, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah. The two players showed glimpses of their sour relationship on the field when they would at times yell at each other.

Below Firmino details his role and their relationship in those years where Liverpool was lifting the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and considered one of the best teams in the world.

Roberto Firmino on Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah

In the book Firmino wrote, “I knew those guys very well, maybe better than anyone… It was me out there on the field, right in the middle of them. I saw first-hand the looks, the grimaces, the body language, the dissatisfaction when one was mad at the other. I could feel it. I was the link between them in our attacking play and the firefighter in those moments.

“For many, that disagreement [against Burnley in August 2019] between Sadio and Mo was the first; for some, the first and last. But I knew it had been brewing since the previous season, 2018-19. My instinct and my duty was to defuse the situation between them. Pour water on the fire – never petrol.”

“They were never best friends; each kept himself to himself. It was rare to see the two of them talking and I’m not sure if that had to do with the Egypt-Senegal rivalry in African competitions. I truly don’t know. But they also never stopped talking, never severed ties. They always acted with the utmost professionalism.

“I never took sides. That’s why they love me: I always passed the ball to both; my preference was for the team’s victory. Many focus on what I brought to the attacking trio in tactical terms, but perhaps just as important was the human element: my role as peacemaker, unifier. If I didn’t do that, it would be nothing but storms between the two of them on the field.

“Maybe that’s why I was the one most often substituted by Klopp. The three of us had very different personalities and the Boss knew I wouldn’t throw a bottle to the ground or anything like that. If I was bothered, I’d talk to him privately afterwards. When a substitution was needed, it was easier to take Bobby off than to upset either of the other two.

“Everyone, including the other players, knew that’s how it worked. It was the worst-kept secret in Liverpool – naturally, no one ever asked what I thought or how I felt. That’s just my nature; the team comes first. The Boss knew it.”

Reports indicate that Firmino’s exit is only one of several departures that will occur at the season’s finish. After being a key contributor for the Redssince his 2015 transfer from Hoffenheim, the Brazilian has seen his minutes decrease this season.

Even though Klopp made it obvious that he wanted to retain theattacker who was left out of the Brazilrosterfor the2022 World CupinQatar, he ultimately decided to go in search of a new challenge. The German managerhas since said that whoever signs Firminonext would be very fortunate.

Roberto Firmino reportedly agrees deal with Barcelona as free agent

As his contract with Liverpool comes to an end this summer, the Daily Mail claims thatRoberto Firmino will sign with current La Liga leaders Barcelona. News of Balurgana’s reported interest in signing the forward and subsequent communication with his representatives surfaced on Friday.

Furthermore, it is currently said that the two sides have settled on a move this summer. It’s no secret that Robert Lewandowski needs backup, thus Barcelona areactively seeking a new striker. The Athletico Paranaense’s Vitor Roque is their first priority, and a return forPierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also a possibility.

However, the cost of acquiring Roque might be a problem, and Aubameyang won’t be signed until Chelsea agrees to let him go for free. Thus, Firmino may be a perfect option.

The Brazilian forward won seven titles with the club and left behind a proud legacy of being one of the greatest Brazilian imports in Premier League history. Still, all good things must come to an end and for Roberto Firmino that times is now.

According to various sources, Roberto Firmino has interest from clubs in LaLiga, Serie A, and a new franchise in Major League Soccer. Here is the status of those rumors.

Roberto Firmino’s transfer situation

According to The Mirror and various reporters in the United States, Roberto Firmino is being sought after by new MLS expansion side St. Louis City SC. The new club is off to a flying start, winning their first 3 matches of the new season and playing in a brand-new state of the art soccer stadium.

The link between the new club and the Brazilian comes in the form of sporting director at St Louis City, Lutz Pfannenstiel, a former director at Bundesliga side Hoffenheim where Firmino played and worked with Pfannenstiel at the time.

The other club in question is Inter Milan, while Firmino would most likely be an out and out star player at St. Louis, Inter Milan he’d be more of a role player, but one Inter values highly.

Other more farfetched rumors of playing in Spain have the Brazilian in the sights of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético de Madrid, where at least two of the three sound more like rumor mill than a serious move.

Firmino is still consistently contributing to the Premier League side, scoring 9 goals in 26 matches this season. Liverpool have had a up and down campaign which has The Reds sixth in the Premier League and virtually eliminated from the Champions League after a 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of the round of 16.

The departure of Firmino is one of many set to take place at the end of the season according to reports. While the board of directors are chalking this season up as simply “a bad one” and will look to rebuild Liverpool next year.

Liverpool in transition

Jürgen Klopp has some decisions to make, and an easy departure for a forward who has scored over 100 goals for the club, will allow Klopp to readjust his squad in various areas. Where Roberto Firmino will go is still a mystery but the Brazilian international will not be short on offers.

Among the championships Roberto Firmino has won with the club are: Premier League: 2019–20, FA Cup: 2021–22, FA Community Shield: 2022, UEFA Champions League: 2018–19, UEFA Super Cup: 2019, and FIFA Club World Cup: 2019.

At 31-years old, Roberto Firmino seemed to be in the perfect age for helping Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, especially considering his vast experience. After his breakthrough performance in the 2013-2014 Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, Firmino was signed in 2015 by Liverpool and that made him a constant name in the National Team lists. He was part of that spectacular trident with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.

The results were impressive at the club level. They won the 2018-2019 Champions League and, most importantly, ended the Reds’drought at the Premier League in the 2019-2020 season (first title in 30 years). So, considering these accolades, and his frequent appearances with Brazil, few people understand why the striker won’t be in Qatar.

Why is Roberto Firmino missing the Qatar 2022 World Cup?

The success of Roberto Firmino at Liverpool made him a habitual name for Brazil in the most important tournaments. The pride of Maceio made his international debut in 2014. Firmino played in Russia 2018 and also participated in three Copa America: 2015, 2019 and 2021.

This season, Firmino had eight goals in 19 matches (6 in the Premier League and 2 in the Champions League), but, that wasn’t enough to convince manager Tite. The actual form and performances of other players at the position such as Neymar, Gabriel Jesus or Vinicius Jr was the key factor for him not making the cut. Here you can find Brazil’s official roster for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“Things didn’t result for me as I imagined or dreamed them, but, I can look bacj and have a grateful heart for God because he already gave me the chance to live that dream as many others (the World Cup). I would like to show my respect and congratulate all the players who were called”, said Firmino in a very emotional message after the official announcement.

La Verde-amarela may not have much to play for in the upcoming fixtures other than trying to hold on to the top spot of the standings. On Thursday, March 24 they welcome Chile to the iconic Maracana before they travel to La Paz to conclude their campaign against Bolivia.

Even though the toughest part of the job is done, Tite has called up a number of renowned stars for the upcoming games. However, he snubbed Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino for the second straight window.

Why was Roberto Firmino not called up by Brazil?

This season has been particularly difficult for Firmino as he missed a number of games for different reasons. His latest setback, an adductor problem, kept him on the sidelines for six games before he returned to action against Arsenal in the Premier League.

His lack of game time recently may have cost Firmino a spot in the Brazil squad for the March international window. However, Tite has also overlooked him in January when he was starting to get more playing time after a hamstring injury.

Instead, the Brazilian coach has decided to call up Neymar, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr, Antony, Raphinha, Rodrygo, and Gabriel Martinelli – who received his first call-up to the senior national team.