Cristiano Ronaldo and his team, Al Nassr, are among three top Saudi Arabian clubs aiming to win the 2025 AFC Champions League Elite as the final rounds kick off this Friday in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final of the newly revamped tournament from April 25 to May 3. With big-name European stars now playing in the Saudi Pro League, clubs like Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli are seen as favourites to win the title at the 62,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Al Hilal and Al Ahli were unbeaten in the West Zone group stage, while Ronaldo’s Al Nassr ranked third. The Portuguese legend, now 40 years old, has scored seven goals in this campaign and is chasing his first Asian title.
Al Nassr head coach, Stefano Pioli, says his players are ready. “We believe in our work. Sometimes the results don’t reflect our effort, but we’re on the right track,” the former AC Milan boss said.
Al Nassr will first face Japan’s Yokohama F-Marinos in the quarter-finals. Yokohama recently sacked their coach, Steve Holland, after poor results. The team is currently at the bottom of Japan’s J.League with only one win in 12 matches. Still, they reached this stage by beating China’s Shanghai Port 5-1 on aggregate.
“We’ve had setbacks, but what matters is how we respond,” said Yokohama midfielder Riku Yamane, after their first game under interim manager Patrick Kisnorbo.
The winner of Al Nassr vs Yokohama will take on either Kawasaki Frontale of Japan or Al Sadd of Qatar in the semi-final.
Elsewhere, Al Hilal are set to play South Korea’s Gwangju. Al Hilal, aiming for a record fifth title, still have a strong squad including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo, and Ruben Neves, even after letting Neymar return to Brazil.
“West Asian teams like Al Hilal are very strong,” said Gwangju’s technical director Jang Ki-bong. “But we’re not afraid. We’ll give it everything.”
Al Ahli, featuring stars like Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino, and Riyad Mahrez, will face Buriram United of Thailand. If Al Ahli wins, they may face rivals Al Hilal in an all-Saudi semi-final.
“We’re proud to play at home in Jeddah. We’ll give our best to win,” Mahrez said.
The tournament’s final will be held on May 3.
