AFC Champions League Elite
It was a decider that had it all and the-AFC.com highlights several facts and figures that caught the eye from a tournament that more than lived up to expectation.
New high for Al Ahli Saudi
In becoming only the second team to win back-to-back titles, Al Ahli Saudi set a new club record of five clean sheets. Only Japanese sides Machida (7) and Vissel Kobe (6) registered more this season.
Machida the fourth
Tournament debutants Machida become the fourth Japanese side to finish as runners-up in the AFC Champions League Elite after Urawa Red Diamonds in 2019, Yokohama F Marinos in 2023-24 and Kawasaki Frontale in 2024-25. Interestingly, three of these four sides have lost out to Saudi clubs in the final (Urawa v Al Hilal SFC and Kawasaki v Al Ahli).
#ACLElite | Final : Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-0 FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)
Six for Saudi Arabia
Al Ahli Saudi’s triumph means clubs from Saudi Arabia have won the AFC Champions League Elite title six times - Al Ahli for the first time last year while Al Hilal and Al Ittihad Club have each been winners twice.
Kessie on the double
Having set up Feras Al Brikan’s winning goal, Al Ahli Saudi’s Franck Kessie became just the second player to record a goal contribution in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite in consecutive seasons after Al Ittihad’s Mohammed Noor (2 goals in 2004 final, 1 goal, 1 assist in 2005 final).
Another good shift from Okamura
Including his 10 in the final, Machida’s Daihachi Okamura made 74 clearances in this season's campaign, the most by any player. In fact, this was his fourth time making 10+ clearances in a single game, the outright most by any player.
Ibanez the driving force
With 18 against Machida, Al Ahli Saudi's Ibanez made 132 final third entries in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26, the second most by any player behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Tsukasa Shiotani (140). The Brazilian, who was impressive throughout, surpassed his tally of 120 from last season.
Mujica deserving winner
Al Sadd SC's campaign may have ended prematurely but Rafael Mujica was a deserving winner of the Top Scorer award as the Spanish forward was at the top of his game throughout, with his eight goals coming from a tournament high 18 shots.
Player for the moment
Al Brikan’s goal was the fifth scored by a substitute for Al Ahli Saudi, the joint-most by any team this season (also Melbourne City and Shabab Al Ahli). It is, since 2013, the most goals scored by substitutes for Al Ahli Saudi in a single season. Al Brikan also became the eighth Saudi Arabian player to score in a final of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
Al Brikan delighted with contribution
- AFC Champions League Elite
Jaissle: Al Ahli Saudi's belief, quality delivered historic title
- AFC Champions League Elite
Kuroda: Machida will learn from bitter lesson
- AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
#U17WAC - Know your teams: Group B
- AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
#WACU17 - Know your teams: Group A
Item 1 of 5