ROBERTO FIRMINO made a blistering start for Al-Ahli as a host of stars made their Saudi Pro League debuts last night.
The 31-year-old Liverpool legend left Anfield in June after his contract expired.
Firmino was snapped up on a free transfer by Al-Ahli and he made an instant impact for his new side with a hat-trick in their 3-1 win over Al-Hazm.
The Brazilian international forward got off the mark by heading home at the back post.
His second came from a cross from fellow new boy Riyad Mahrez, who arrived in a £30m signing from Manchester City, after just ten minutes.
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Al-Hazm got back into it when Vina lobbed Edouard Mendy, who cost £17m from Chelsea, after an error from the goalkeeper gifted the forward the ball.
But Firmino then bundled in a third after his initial header was saved to claim the matchball.
The trio of Firmino, Mahrez and Mendy were also joined by fellow Al-Ahli debutants Allan Saint-Maximin, the French winger signed for £40m from Newcastle, former Roma defender Roger Ibanez and ex-Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie.
Al-Ahli and Al-Hazm renewed their rivalry after finishing in the top two of Saudi second tier last term to win promotion.
But while Al-Ahli were one of four teams taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund this summer and brought in a number of high-profile additions, their opponents are still lacking any big names.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr kickstarted the wave of transfer activity in the Middle East country, but some fans believe Firmino has already surpassed the Portuguese legend, who has scored 14 in 16 appearances in Saudi.
One fan tweeted: “Roberto Firmino out there exposing Ronaldo. They ain't ready for Bobby.”
Another wrote: “Firmino hattrick on his debut. Meanwhile Ronaldo had a 5 min fail comp on his Al Nassr debut.”
A fellow fan of the Brazilian tweeted: “Firmino has scored 2 goals in 10 minutes into his debut … He is going to cook Ronaldo in that farmers League.”
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While another said: “Roberto Firmino scored a HAT-TRIK in the first match of the Saudi Arabian Championship! Ronaldo has a serious competitor.”
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