I’m here for team success, not personal records, says Firmino

Brazilian star forward Roberto Firmino has vowed to give his all for Al Sadd after joining the Qatar Stars League champions from Saudi side Al Ahli, pledging to help preserve the club’s legacy and target every possible trophy — including the coveted AFC Champions League.Firmino’s arrival on a two-year deal running until 2027 comes after months of speculation over his future. The 33-year-old had one year remaining on his Al Ahli contract, but a mutual agreement with club allowed him to leave after two seasons.Reports had linked him to Brazilian giants Flamengo and Turkish side Fenerbahce but the former Liverpool star opted to join Al Sadd. Firmino remains a beloved figure at Liverpool, where he won the Premier League and Champions League under Jurgen Klopp before moving to Saudi in 2023.At a press conference Saturday at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Sadd officially unveiled Firmino and two other new signings – Spanish midfielder Pau Prim, who joined from FC Barcelona’s youth set-up, and Uruguayan midfielder Agustin Soria from his local club Defensor Sporting.The Qatar Stars League champions will play a friendly against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, ahead of next week’s season opener.Speaking to reporters, Firmino said: "I’m happy to be in Qatar. I thank everyone who contributed to my move to Al Sadd. I will try to make an impact alongside my team-mates, using my experience to help Al Sadd win titles,” he said. "I’m not here to chase personal records or individual glory, but to help achieve collective success. I’m here to support the team and I look forward to leaving my mark in the club’s history.”Firmino also had a message for Al Sadd fans: "I won’t make individual promises. What we promise as one team is to fight and work together to win every possible title, including the dream of the AFC Champions League. We will continue to preserve the legacy of titles and achievements we found at this club.”He added that the decision to move to Qatar was entirely his own. "I did not consult anyone before coming here — it was God’s will. I’m motivated for my journey with Al Sadd and promise to give my all alongside my teammates to meet the aspirations of our great fans,” Firmino saidDuring his two-year spell at Al Ahli, Firmino played 65 matches, scoring 21 goals and providing 17 assists. He was instrumental in the club’s AFC Champions League Elite triumph, notching six goals and seven assists in the campaign — including two decisive assists in the final against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.While Firmino’s signing grabbed the headlines, the arrival of 19-year-old Pau Prim represents another significant addition. The Spanish midfielder joins the defending QSL champions on a four-year deal from Barcelona’s youth set-up, becoming the latest in a growing wave of young talent drawn to the league.Prim has already represented Spain at various age levels, earning 34 caps and captaining the U-19 side in a friendly against Germany last year. At Barcelona, he made 30 appearances for the reserve side in Spain’s third tier, Primera Federacion, and featured in the UEFA Youth League with the U-19s.Prim said: "I am very happy to be here. It will be a new adventure, and I will do everything in my power to achieve the best results and win titles. I am excited to start my new experience with Al Sadd club. I have to adapt to the atmosphere. It is a big change in my career, and we will try to win all available titles with this great club.”Uruguayan Soria, who has signed through 2030, said he was honoured to join a club with such a strong midfield tradition. "This is a big change in my life. I know very well that many great legends played in Al Sadd’s midfield, so I will do my best to add something to the midfield and to the team in general to achieve the best results.”With experienced Firmino spearheading the attack, Prim adding youthful energy to the midfield, and Soria bringing further depth, Al Sadd under coach Felix Sanchez have strengthened their already strong attack as they get ready to defend their domestic crown and reclaim continental dominance in the new season.