Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli have made history by winning their first-ever AFC Champions League title, defeating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2–0 in a commanding final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
The landmark victory not only signals a new era of dominance for the Jeddah-based club but also saw three of its stars—Roberto Firmino, Édouard Mendy, and Riyad Mahrez—become the first players in football history to win both the UEFA and AFC Champions League titles.
Brazilian winger Galeno opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a thunderous strike, before Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié doubled the lead seven minutes later with a precise header. Firmino was instrumental in both goals, providing the crucial assists that steered Al Ahli to glory.
Al Ahli’s road to the title was marked by exceptional consistency and quality. The club remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning 12 of their 13 matches. Firmino emerged as a standout performer, contributing six goals and seven assists across the campaign and earning the Player of the Tournament award.
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The club’s rise is all the more remarkable given that just three years ago, Al Ahli were relegated to Saudi Arabia’s second division. Since then, strategic investments, including the high-profile acquisitions of Firmino, Mahrez, and Mendy, alongside the leadership of German coach Matthias Jaissle, have transformed the club into continental champions.
For Mahrez, the triumph brought personal redemption after a challenging debut season with the club. The Algerian winger played a pivotal role in the tournament, tallying nine goals and eight assists, and helping to lead Al Ahli back to the top of Asian football.
With this victory, Al Ahli join the ranks of fellow Saudi giants Al Hilal and Al Ittihad as champions of Asia,
