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Firmino considered it a stroke of luck when he first ran into Alisson Becker. That night, they were rivals, both their squads vying for a place in the UCL finals. Firmino was Liverpool's star No. 9, and Alisson was Roma's best goalkeeper.
In the end Liverpool, Firmino's club, came out on top--but it was the start of a beautiful future for both of them. Firmino and Alisson soon became close friends, and they eventually made it to the UCL finals--on the same team.
When Alisson moved to Liverpool, Firmino had immediately wanted to know everything about their new signing. It hadn't been too difficult to figure out where Alisson was from--as the "Selecao" keychain on his backpack could easily attest--and Firmino already knew his club history down to his teenage club, Internacional. But when Alisson revealed that he shared the same birthday as Firmino--October 2nd-- Firmino was absolutely amazed. He had never met another person with the same birthday as him, much less a teammate. It was almost as if fate brought them together.
The likelihood of two teammates having the same birthday, and becoming best friends, was almost impossible. The pair then saw many things happen that were once deemed impossible.
Liverpool lost 3-0 to Barcelona in the first leg of the semifinal. They won the second leg 4-0 after every pundit and journalist had written them off, going on to win the UCL for the first time in fourteen years.
Liverpool hadn't won the Premier League in thirty years. They won it with a massive points gap to spare, leaving even Man. City in the dust.
Liverpool needed a win versus Spurs to climb over them to the top of the table. Spurs had parked the bus the whole match, with Jose Mourinho at the helm, and they were 1-1 with almost zero time left. Out of nothing, Firmino scored the winner to make sure Liverpool were top of the table by Christmas.
Liverpool were drawing 1-1 to already-relegated West Brom with ninety seconds to go, and they needed a win to have a chance of qualifying for the Champions’ League after an abysmal season. A last minute corner came up, and out of nothing, Alisson rose up and headed the ball into the net.
Their time together was full of miracles, both glorious and slightly strange. And now, after five years together, it was time to say goodbye. Firmino would leave the club after eight years to see out the twilight of his career, leaving his friends behind in the process.
At this point, Firmino couldn't even consider Alisson a friend anymore. He was like a brother, a one-year-younger brother who reminded Firmino more of a fuzzy baby koala than a six-foot human. They would joke and laugh so hard, Firmino was sure his sides would crack in half; and when one just needed some quiet time, it was just as easy to cuddle up next to each other and talk about whatever was on their minds.
How many metaphors could Firmino use to describe him and Alisson's friendship? So many. Alisson was soft green, Firmino was bright yellow. Alisson was jade, and Firmino was gold. Alisson was the koala, and Firmino was the branch. He could carry on and on and on, not stopping to breathe. But he had to breathe--they were 1-0 down to Aston Villa in the final home game of the season.
When Firmino scored in the eighty-ninth minute to level the scores, it felt like destiny. As soon as the equalizer had gone in, there were enough cheers and whoops of jubilation from the Liverpudlians to break the sound barrier. Normally quiet (key word: normally) Alisson beamed with delight and celebrated on the other side of the pitch. If Klopp was on the sidelines, he'd be losing it, pumping his fists in the air and running down the touchline like it was a racetrack.
Unfortunately, they couldn't get another goal to win the game. But at the end of it all, Firmino was still left smiling as he said goodbye to the home fans. He'd done what he could, played his best and given 100%. And now there was only one more match left until he said goodbye, permanently.
How did time go by so fast?
Alisson appeared out of nowhere--quite a feat, considering the green monstrosity of a goalkeeper's kit Liverpool had assigned him to wear for the upcoming season. Firmino expected Alisson to handle this final match badly, considering how emotional Alisson was on a daily basis. Right now, he stood in front of Firmino with an odd, yet warm, smile.
"Roberto." It was simple, yet carried so much meaning to it. Alisson hardly called him Roberto, though Firmino figured Alisson wanted it to last longer.
Firmino tried to find an answer, but the words got stuck in his throat. What did you say to a best friend, a brother in all but blood, a partner in crime, when you realized this was almost the end of the line? He felt his throat tighten as he tried to find words. No words, in any language, suited the moment.
In the end, Firmino held up his hand for a high five. Alisson quickly high-fived him, then wrapped himself around Firmino in a hug just like their many hugs before.
Alisson's hugs always reminded Firmino of warm, fuzzy things, like love and happiness. Usually Firmino couldn't get on the receiving ends of Alisson's hugs without grinning like an idiot. However, this particular hug felt different. Firmino felt a deep sense of sadness coursing through him, and before he knew it tears were streaming down his face.
"Did I make the wrong choice?" Firmino mumbled, words muffled into Alisson's shoulder. Oh, how he would miss this.
"People leave, Bobby, you did nothing wrong. It's just life, and life marches on." Alisson ran his fingers through Firmino's hair, curling the strands around his finger. "You're going to be so loved wherever you go next. I mean, who can't love that smile? Every one of your teeth are immaculate!"
As much as Firmino wanted to laugh at the joke, he still couldn't fight back tears. "I'll stay until I really have to move. I won't be a traitor like Philippe, I--"
" Nao. " Alisson gently lifted Firmino's chin until their eyes met, brushing the tears away with his still-gloved thumb. Firmino could see that Alisson was trying hard not to break down, as well. "You are not a traitor, Roberto, and you never will be. You're loyal and loving and everything. I swear if I try to tell you everything about you, I'll run out of words."
"Walk with me?" Firmino wasn't sure that he would be able to finish his final lap of honor alone.
Alisson hugged Firmino tighter and led him towards the Delfiane Road End. "I think if you look at our badge, you'll see my answer."