Alisson attributes much of his success at Shakhtar to the arrival of coach Arda Turan. A former midfielder with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, the Turk has improved the Brazilian's game.
"He opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn't know or didn't want to do. It started to work," explains Alisson.
"As a winger, I used to wait for the ball to come to me. He told me to attack the space, get into the box and get closer to the goal. I knew I had to do it, but sometimes I didn't. It's one of the things he asks me to do the most.
The striker also highlights the greater rapport with the team as one of the elements that has raised his level of play. The adaptation was made easier by the legion of Brazilians who play for Shakhtar: there are 10 in the squad, reviving the tradition that was interrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"I found it difficult with the very cold weather and the language, but at the club it's easy because there's a translator. In football itself, professionally, I didn't find it too difficult. Just the differences," says Alisson.
"Here I've stopped being that kid from the youth team, with all that patience, and I've become a player who needs to be important to the club. The treatment is different and my mentality has had to change.
"I'm adapting well, I'm happy with this opportunity and I'm trying to embrace it as much as possible."
At home in Poland
As the war between Ukraine and Russia has dragged on since 2022, Shakhtar have become a nomadic club in UEFA competitions. After playing matches in Warsaw (Poland), Hamburg (Germany) and Gelsenkirchen (Germany), the Ukrainians chose the Polish city of Krakow for 2025/26.
Alisson admits that the experience is unusual, but praises the support Shakhtar receive at the Henryk Reyman stadium.
"It's strange. I didn't think we'd have many fans in Poland, I was surprised the stadium was full. I don't know if they live in the city or leave Ukraine, but what matters is feeling their support," he says.
"I have to admit it's a bit of a different experience playing at home from somewhere else, but our fans come and support us, and so far we've managed to bring them a lot of joy. It's different, but it's really nice."
In 2024, Alisson had another unusual experience: playing at home without fans. This was because Atletico-MG were punished by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) for incidents in the final of the Copa do Brasil and had to play with closed gates in some Brasileirão matches.
"It's better to play elsewhere than at home with no fans. The fans influence the game. For the player it's nice to feel that energy because it makes you want to play more and makes you feel more connected," said the Brazilian.
To the Europa League
Even though the season has only just begun, Shakhtar are already in their third Europa League knockout round. The Ukrainian side host Panathinaikos on Thursday after a 0-0 draw in the first leg. They need to win to reach the final qualifying round.
"We could have won in Greece, but there was a bitter aftertaste after that draw" says Alisson.
"We missed out on a few things and we don't want to miss out on the next one. If we're well focused and do what we know how, we've got a great chance of qualifying."
Of Shakhtar's 14 goals in the Europa League, Alisson has been directly involved in eight, scoring three and providing five assists. He's the competition's leading scorer, as well as its top assister.
In the previous round, he produced one of the greatest performances of his career in the 4-2 win over Besiktas in Istanbul. With a goal and two assists, he was voted the best player on the pitch.
Looking back, the Brazilian says he's never received as much pressure as he did from the Turkish fans.
"God pointed the finger at me that day. It was a great experience, but I was more impressed by their atmosphere. It was crazy," he says.
"At the start of the game, when the ball went to our goalkeeper and he kept hold of it, they started booing and whistling. Our ears hurt."
"I watch Messi almost every day"
Being a left-footed forward who plays on the right, it's easy to imagine Alisson Santana's great inspiration in football.
"Messi is my biggest reference. Everything he does I try to do on the pitch. Of course it's difficult, but I watch many, many games and videos. I watch Messi almost every day," he reveals.
"I'm also inspired by Ronaldinho and Neymar. And these days I really enjoy watching Lamine Yamal and Savinho.