Cristiano Ronaldo Eyes Final Chance at Asian Champions League Glory as Saudi Clubs Strengthen Dominance
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make another attempt at winning the Asian Champions League as the continent’s premier club competition gets underway on Monday, with Saudi Arabian clubs once again emerging as the leading contenders.
Ronaldo, who turned 41 this year, indicated in August that the current season could be his final year in professional football. Despite an extraordinary club career that includes five UEFA Champions League titles, the Portuguese superstar has never lifted the Asian continental trophy.
Ronaldo Begins Another Asian Campaign
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will enter the new campaign under the management of former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. The Australian coach was dismissed by Tottenham in June 2025 despite guiding the English club to Europa League success.
Al Nassr have assembled an impressive attacking lineup around Ronaldo, with former Bayern Munich and France winger Kingsley Coman, Senegal international Sadio Mane and Portugal forward Joao Felix also part of the squad.
The Riyadh-based club have made a strong start to the Saudi Pro League season. After six matches, Al Nassr sit second in the standings behind Al Hilal, separated only by goal difference.
Ronaldo has also maintained his scoring form, finding the net three times in five league appearances.
Al Hilal Pose Major Challenge
One of the biggest obstacles in Ronaldo’s pursuit of continental success will be Al Hilal, managed by former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi.
Al Hilal strengthened their squad significantly during the latest transfer window. The Saudi club signed England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa and Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, with the two deals reportedly costing around $150 million combined.
The spending power of Saudi clubs has transformed the competitive landscape of Asian football in recent seasons.
Saudi Clubs Dominate Asian Competition
Saudi Arabia has become a major force in the Asian Champions League, helped by significant investment in football and the country’s preparations to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Since the 2024-25 season, the competition has operated under the Champions League Elite format. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are staged at a centralised venue in Saudi Arabia.
The arrangement has already benefited Saudi clubs. Al Ahli won the title in both 2025 and 2026, with their latest triumph coming against Japan’s Machida Zelvia.
Al Ahli defeated Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time in April’s final in Jeddah, with England striker Ivan Toney leading their attack.
This season, five Saudi clubs will compete among the 32 teams in the tournament: Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah.
The competition remains divided into Eastern and Western regions, with teams scheduled to play eight league-stage matches — four at home and four away.
Japanese Clubs Look to Challenge Saudi Power
Japanese teams are expected to provide the strongest challenge to Saudi Arabia’s dominance.
Clubs from Japan have reached the final in each of the last four editions, while five J.League teams will compete in this season’s tournament.
Reigning Japanese champions Kashima Antlers are among the teams expected to attract particular attention.
Former Kashima player Yasushi Endo acknowledged the financial advantage enjoyed by Saudi clubs but said Japanese teams could still compete with the right support.
He noted that the spending power of Western Asian clubs makes the competition increasingly difficult for Japanese sides, particularly because they can recruit players with experience in Europe’s strongest leagues.
The centralised knockout stages in Saudi Arabia could also create an additional challenge for teams from the East, making strong fan support an important factor.
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