Key Takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo to make final attempt at winning Asian Champions League.
- Al Nassr, led by former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, among top contenders.
- Saudi teams expected to dominate due to heavy spending and home advantage.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make his final attempt at winning the Asian Champions League, as the competition begins on Monday. The 41-year-old former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus star has expressed that this might be his last year in football.
Ronaldo, now playing for Al Nassr in Riyadh, will be coached by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked by the club in June 2025 after leading them to Europa League glory.
Al Nassr, alongside other Saudi teams, are expected to dominate the competition due to their financial strength and the rebranded Champions League Elite format, which centralizes the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr, currently second in the Saudi Pro League, have proven attacking quality with players like Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane, and Joao Felix. Ronaldo himself has been in good form, scoring three goals in five league games.
Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal, another Saudi powerhouse, present a significant challenge. The team recently signed England’s Ollie Watkins and Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli for a combined $150 million, making them formidable opponents.
The format of the Asian Champions League heavily favors Saudi teams, which are spending vast sums on football and will host the 2034 World Cup. Since the 2024-2025 season, the competition has been rebranded as the Champions League Elite, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final held in a centralised location in Saudi Arabia.
Al Ahli, another Saudi team, won the title in 2025 and 2026, capitalizing on home advantage. An Al Ahli side with England’s Ivan Toney in attack beat Japan’s Machida Zelvia 1-0 in extra time in April’s final in Jeddah.
Despite the strong Saudi presence, the biggest threat to their dominance may come from Japan. Teams from Japan have reached the final in each of the last four editions, with reigning domestic champions Kashima Antlers among the top contenders.
Former Kashima star Yasushi Endo admitted that the financial strength of Western teams, combined with the centralised format, makes it difficult for Japanese teams to compete. He stated, 'It’s difficult for Japanese teams to be champions these days given the financial strength of teams in the West who can invest heavily in players that traditionally play in strong European leagues.'
It’s difficult for Japanese teams to be champions these days given the financial strength of teams in the West who can invest heavily in players that traditionally play in strong European leagues.
Yasushi Endo, Former Kashima Antlers star
