Ex-Roma GK Coach: “Alisson is the Lionel Messi of Keepers”

The mention of Alisson Ramses Becker’s name, a/k/a The Brazilian Don Draper, conjures two equally strong emotions within me: joy and terror. The former is obvious. Not only is Alisson an unfailingly handsome man, he’s also an unflappable goalkeeper, already among the league’s best in only his first full season as Roma’s keeper. Alisson’s presence, poise, reflexes and even his ability to deke a defender and pick out a pass have been on full display this season. If Kristaps Porzingis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the unicorns of the NBA, then surely Alisson is the, I don’t know, Pegasus of Serie A—a player too good, too unique and too special to be real.

The other end of that emotional spectrum, terror, arises from the simple fact that the rest of the footballing world has now spotted Roma’s Pegasus, with reports of Liverpool and PSG “setting aside” €50 million for his signature this summer, a sum which, according to Roma’s former goalkeeping Roberto Negrisolo, is now laughable.

Speaking on Alisson’s standing within the global game, Negrisolo was effusive in his praise:

Is Alisson worth €50m? Don’t be silly, he’s worth far more than that...I don’t think many people have realised who Alisson is. This guy is a phenomenon. He is the Number One of Number Ones. He is the Messi of goalkeepers, because he has the same mentality as Messi. He is a goalkeeper who can mark an era.

There is absolutely no comparison with Gianluigi Donnarumma, because Alisson is extraordinary. The first time I saw him play, he wasn’t yet on the Roma books. I watched him play for Brazil and he made an enormous impression on me.

The way he behaves in the goal, he reminds me of Dino Zoff. I’d also compare him to Michel Preud-Homme, who had the class of someone born to be a goalkeeper.

I know goalkeepers, that is my business, and I can assure you Alisson can be a guarantee for at least another 10 years. He’s already a hero to the fans and Roma need to keep hold of him.

Alisson is crucial off the field too, as you can see he has the mind of a Coach. Look at the way he moves and acts when the ball is in his hands and you’ll understand

Source: Il Romanista via Football Italia

Wow. The Messi of keepers, that’s bold, and quite frankly, not that far off. And that’s precisely what should keep you up at night. If what Luciano Spalletti claimed is true, that James Pallotta openly admitted to selling top players, then Alisson could very well be the next soul gathered by Roma’s FFP reaper.

We’re not necessarily saying that is the case, but for a club that so frequently sells its building blocks, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility—again keeping in mind their FFP concerns—that Alisson is sold in the near future, perhaps as soon as this summer.

While we may be getting used to this sick pattern, selling Alisson would be a horrific turn of events. Keepers like Alisson don’t come along every day, and when you look at the games great dynasties, it starts at the back—with Peter Schmeichel, with GIanluigi Buffon, with Iker Casillas—and if Negrisolo is correct, that Alisson is of that ilk, then this could be catastrophic event in the history of their much-hyped project.

So, Uncle Jimmy, please, for the love of god, pay the piper with someone else!