Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of profitable a primary main trophy since arriving in Saudi Arabia in 2022. Picture: AFP
RIYADH:
Cristiano Ronaldo could have a final crack at profitable the Asian Champions League when the continent’s prime membership competitors begins on Monday, with big-spending Saudi groups set to dominate.
The 41-year-old former Manchester United, Actual Madrid and Juventus famous person stated in August that it was “most likely my final yr in soccer”.
The Portuguese attacker has almost received all of it throughout his membership profession, together with 5 UEFA Champions League crowns.
However the Asian Champions League has to this point eluded the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
His Al Nassr aspect go into the most recent continental marketing campaign below a brand new coach in former Tottenham supervisor Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked by Spurs in June 2025 regardless of taking them to Europa League glory.
Together with Ronaldo, the Riyadh-based outfit have confirmed worldwide attacking high quality in Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane and Ronaldo’s Portugal team-mate Joao Felix.
Al Nassr are second within the Saudi Professional League after six matches, behind Al Hilal solely on objective distinction.
The skipper Ronaldo has been in good kind, scoring 3 times in 5 league video games.
Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal current a serious impediment in Ronaldo’s bid to win the AFC Champions League for the primary time.
Al Hilal had been main spenders within the latest switch window, snapping up Aston Villa’s England striker Ollie Watkins and Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal for a mixed $150 million.
Japan menace
The format of the Asian Champions League is closely skewed in favour of groups from Saudi Arabia, which is spending huge fortunes on soccer and can host the 2034 World Cup.
For the reason that 2024-2025 season the competitors was rebranded because the Champions League Elite and the quarter-finals, semis and last are held in a centralised location in Saudi Arabia.
Al Ahli made essentially the most of dwelling benefit by profitable the title in 2025 and 2026.
An Al Ahli aspect with England’s Ivan Toney in assault beat Japan’s Machida Zelvia 1-0 in further time in April’s last on dwelling turf in Jeddah.
Al Nassr, Al Ahli and Al Hilal shall be joined on this yr’s competitors by Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah, making it a bumper 5 Saudi sides among the many 32 groups.
As in recent times, the competitors is split equally into two leagues of East and West.
Either side will play 4 matches at dwelling and 4 away.
The most important menace to the Saudi stranglehold will probably come from Japan — groups from Asia’s strongest footballing nation have reached the ultimate in every of the final 4 editions.
There are additionally 5 J. League groups, prime amongst them reigning home champions Kashima Antlers.
Former Kashima star Yasushi Endo admitted the Saudi groups could be exhausting to beat.
“It is troublesome for Japanese groups to be champions nowadays given the monetary energy of groups within the West who can make investments closely in gamers that historically play in sturdy European leagues,” he stated.
“With the event being performed in a centralised format within the West, it additionally makes issues further troublesome.
“We can’t underplay the significance of getting massive fan help.”