AFC Champions League Elite
Beyond the silverware, it was a season filled with goals that lit up stadiums across Asia. From stunning solo efforts to intricate team moves, each strike from the nominees tells its own story. Now, it's time for the fans to decide the very best.
Feras Al Brikan - Al Ahli Saudi FC (v FC Machida Zelvia)
There were absolute scenes at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium when the 25-year-old striker scored the extra-time winner to clinch the title once again! Despite being a man down, the defending champions found their way through a resolute Machida defence, Riyad Mahrez swinging a left-footed cross from the right towards the far post, where Franck Kessie laid the ball off for Al Brikan to score.
Galeno - Al Ahli Saudi FC (v Vissel Kobe)
The reigning champions needed an equaliser against the J-League outfit and Galeno delivered a masterpiece. It started with a Riyad Mahrez corner and was stunningly finished by the Brazilian forward. The ball was eventually worked to Galeno, who hit a trademark strike from distance beyond the keeper's reach to start the comeback.
Rafa Mujica - Al Sadd SC (v Vissel Kobe)
A world-class assist from Roberto Firmino was finished off brilliantly by Mujica in the much anticipated quarter-final clash against Vissel Kobe. Claudinho clipped his pass into the penalty area from deep towards Firmino, and the Brazilian improvised by chesting the ball into the path of Mujica, who swept his volley beyond Daiya Maekawa's dive.
Tete Yengi - FC Machida Zelvia (v Al Ittihad Club)
The Australian giant was the chosen one to write history for the tournament debutants. Tete Yengi brought chaos to the box at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium as he struck the ball in the 31st minute to take the J1 League side into the last four for the first time.
The Australian giant was the chosen one to write history for the tournament debutants. Tete Yengi brought chaos to the box at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium as he struck the ball in the 31st minute to take the J1 League side into the last four for the first time.
Ager Aketxe - Johor Darul Ta'zim (v Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Nacho Mendez teed up Ager Aketxe to bend an unerring strike beyond Keisuke Osako from 20 yards out. The first-touch curler was simply out of this world to put the Malaysian side in control of their Round of 16 tie with the J-League side.
Yosuke Ideguchi - Vissel Kobe (v FC Seoul)
Yosuke Ideguchi put the match beyond the K-League side's reach in the last minute of regulation time when he picked up on a poor clearance by Gu Sung-yun and chipped in from outside the area over the out-of-position custodian, to propel his side into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2022.
Riyad Mahrez - Al Ahli Saudi FC (v Al Duhail SC)
Need a game changer? Call Mahrez! Need a last-minute free-kick goal? Call Mahrez! The Algerian winger curled a stunning free-kick from 25 yards with three minutes left to play in the second period of extra time, securing his side's place in the quarter-finals.
Krzysztof Piatek - Al Duhail SC (v Al Shorta)
Krzysztof Piatek converted Mubarak Shanan's headed lay-off with a sublime overhead strike into the bottom right corner.
Suphanat Mueanta - Buriram United (v Shanghai Shenhua FC)
The Thailand international scored a stunner in the 22nd minute when, following a corner, he chested the ball at the edge of the area and finished with a brilliant volley that flew past a diving Xue Qinghao into the top right corner.
The Thailand international scored a stunner in the 22nd minute when, following a corner, he chested the ball at the edge of the area and finished with a brilliant volley that flew past a diving Xue Qinghao into the top right corner.
Mutsuki Kato - Sanfrecce Hiroshima (v Chengdu Rongcheng FC)
Super sub Mutsuki Kato scored the equaliser three minutes after coming on, to earn his side a valuable point at Chengdu Rongcheng. Kato, who came on in the 60th minute, created an impact three minutes later when he first-timed the ball home from close range past a flatfooted Tao after being laid up by Sota Nakamura.
Super sub Mutsuki Kato scored the equaliser three minutes after coming on, to earn his side a valuable point at Chengdu Rongcheng. Kato, who came on in the 60th minute, created an impact three minutes later when he first-timed the ball home from close range past a flatfooted Tao after being laid up by Sota Nakamura.
Guilherme Bala - Shabab Al Ahli (V Al Gharafa SC)
The Brazilian winger finished off the League Stage's MD5 in style. Guilherme Bala doubled his side's lead by coolly bending the ball from outside the area, past a diving Khalifa Ababacar and into the bottom right.
The Brazilian winger finished off the League Stage's MD5 in style. Guilherme Bala doubled his side's lead by coolly bending the ball from outside the area, past a diving Khalifa Ababacar and into the bottom right.
Mahdi Torabi - Tractor FC (v Al Shorta)
Mesmerising teamwork and elite football were on display at the Yadegar-e-Imam Stadium. A superb passage of one-touch football between Tibor Halillovic and Tomislav Strkalj to send Mahdi Torabi through to poke home the opener past Ahmed Basil.
Mesmerising teamwork and elite football were on display at the Yadegar-e-Imam Stadium. A superb passage of one-touch football between Tibor Halillovic and Tomislav Strkalj to send Mahdi Torabi through to poke home the opener past Ahmed Basil.
Theo Hernandez - Al Hilal SFC (v PFC Nasaf)
The former AC Milan full-back picked up possession 35 yards from goal and decided to go all the way! Theo Hernandez quickly evaded one defender before side-stepping and stumbling past four more Nasaf players to deftly clip the ball over Abduvakhid Nematov as he attempted to close the Frenchman down.
The former AC Milan full-back picked up possession 35 yards from goal and decided to go all the way! Theo Hernandez quickly evaded one defender before side-stepping and stumbling past four more Nasaf players to deftly clip the ball over Abduvakhid Nematov as he attempted to close the Frenchman down.
Tim Chow - Chengdu Rongcheng FC (v Gangwon FC)
Midfielder Tim Chow, scored at the 35th minute to give his side their first three points at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park Football Stadium. What a way to finish a gutsy display to overcome the Korea Republic's Gangwon FC!
Midfielder Tim Chow, scored at the 35th minute to give his side their first three points at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park Football Stadium. What a way to finish a gutsy display to overcome the Korea Republic's Gangwon FC!
Now it's over to you. Which strike stood above the rest this season?
Cast your vote below for the Best Goal of the Season in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26, Presented by VISA, and check back on the-AFC.com and the AFC LIVE app when we reveal the winner.
Poll ends at 17:00 (UTC+8) on May 4
