The Asian Champions League kicks off on Monday, featuring an array of star players, including the renowned Cristiano Ronaldo.
As the Asian Champions League unfolds this Monday, several former English Premier League players are poised to make impactful contributions. Stars like Ivan Toney, Jesse Lingard, Riyad Mahrez, and Darwin Nunez aim for glory in Asia’s most prestigious club tournament.
Last season saw Saudi clubs asserting their dominance by placing three teams in the semifinals, culminating in Al-Ahli’s triumph in front of 60,000 enthusiastic fans in Jeddah last May. With Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal also back in action, the competition is once again fierce as they pursue the coveted title.
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Since the Public Investment Fund took control of the major clubs in Saudi Arabia in 2023, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, roughly $1.5 billion has been invested in player acquisitions.
Toney, who transferred to Al-Ahli from Brentford in August 2024, is eager to build on last season’s success in the Asian arena. “Winning the Champions League in front of our passionate fans was a great experience,” he shared with The Associated Press.
The England striker notched six goals in last year’s continental tournament and has developed a dynamic partnership with Riyad Mahrez, who clinched the UEFA Champions League title with Manchester City in 2021. “If you position yourself correctly, great players like Mahrez will find you,” Toney noted. “The competition level in Saudi Arabia is exceptionally high.”
The tournament features 24 teams, divided into western and eastern zones, with the top eight from each zone advancing to the round of 16.
Al-Hilal, based in Riyadh, holds the record for the most tournament victories, with four titles, and recently distinguished itself at the Club World Cup by being the sole Asian team to reach the quarterfinals after defeating Manchester City.
Al-Hilal has strengthened its roster with the $70 million acquisition of Uruguayan striker Nunez from Liverpool.
Coach Simone Inzaghi, after leading Inter Milan to the UEFA Champions League final, has joined Al-Hilal with hopes of achieving similar success in Asia.
Meanwhile, two-time champions Al-Ittihad are banking on the seasoned talents of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, both former European champions, to replicate that success in the Asian tournament.
Former Manchester United player Jesse Lingard is representing FC Seoul, a club in the most successful league in Asian club history, with a total of 12 titles, although they have only secured one victory since 2016.
Since joining the K-League team in 2023, Lingard embraced the role of captain, garnering fan support. “We have to compete effectively in both the league and the AFC Champions League Elite,” he asserted. “As captain, I am committed to leading the team to victory.”
FC Seoul’s coach Kim Ki-dong is increasing Lingard’s responsibilities, stating, “He has played at the highest levels and is very eager to succeed in his first AFC Champions League.”
In recent seasons, Japanese clubs have proven to be formidable adversaries for Saudi teams, though Kawasaki Frontale won’t be competing after besting Al-Nassr in the semifinals last April. J-League champion Vissel Kobe could pose the strongest challenge this season, but only South Korea’s Ulsan has previously captured the championship from among the 12 eastern teams.