#ACLElite – Vote for your Assist of the Season

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 season delivered breathtaking goals of extraordinary quality, but behind every brilliant finish was often an equally brilliant final pass.

From defence-splitting through balls to outrageous flicks, improvised touches and training ground perfection, the season produced several world class assists to look back on. Now it's time for you, the fans, to celebrate the creativity, vision and intelligence that lit up the competition by voting for your Assist of the Season - Presented by Qatar Airways.

We have shortlisted 14 assists and your vote will now decide which one deserves to be crowned the very best of the season.

Yuya Osako - Vissel Kobe (v Al Ahli Saudi FC)

Straight out of the training ground and executed to perfection. Katsuya Nagato's delivery from deep inside the Al Ahli half found Osako's perfectly timed run, and the veteran's clever header across goal allowed Yoshinori Muto to finish with ease past Mendy. A ruthless way to slice through the defending champions.

Roberto Firmino - Al Sadd SC (v Vissel Kobe)

Nothing unusual here, just Roberto Firmino turning football into art once again. Claudinho's clipped pass into the area looked difficult to control, but the Brazilian improvised brilliantly with a cushioned assist with his chest into Rafa Mujica's path for a stunning volleyed finish.

Romain Saiss - Al Sadd SC (v Al Hilal SFC)

Nerves of steel and a back-heel of gold! Romain Saiss executed a perfectly timed back-heel that found Claudinho in space, who levelled the Round of 16 clash against Al Hilal.

Marcus Younis - Melbourne City FC (v Buriram United)

The 20-year-old's surging run down the flank, combined with intelligent movement and a pinpoint cross, gifted Benjamin Mazzeo the opportunity for a dramatic late equaliser.

Yoshinori Muto - Vissel Kobe (v FC Seoul)

Yoshinori Muto received the ball by the touchline and immediately transitioned into a perfectly weighted looping cross for Yuya Osako at the back post. The kind of assist that comes from never giving up.

Ruben Neves - Al Hilal SFC (v Al Wahda FC)

A lethal set-piece routine that was too good to be true. Ruben Neves delivered an inside-of-the-boot swing that flawlessly found Darwin Nunez, who was rose highest in the aerial duel to head home the opener.

Naoki Maeda - Sanfrecce Hiroshima (v Johor Darul Ta’zim)

Naoki Maeda's wicked delivery was too good to miss for Akito Suzuki, who only needed the slightest of headers to score the come-back goal for Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Saleh Abu Al Shamat - Al Ahli Saudi FC (v Al Shorta)

An evening to remember for Saleh Abu Al Shamat, as he registered a goal and an assist in the five-goal win at Al Shorta. The 23-year-old brilliantly sent Galeno galloping down the left, who beat Mustafa Saadoon before slotting past Basil.

Jesse Lingard - FC Seoul (v Shanghai Port FC)

Creator, scorer and leader all in one performance. The former Manchester United midfielder produced a stellar assist for Lucas Silva during a thrilling away win, slicing open the defence with precision and timing.

Edmilson Junior - Al Duhail SC (v Shabab Al Ahli)

Deceptive in its simplicity, the corner routine between Edmilson Junior and Bourigeaud was executed with flawless precision. An assist built on preparation and football intelligence.

Robert Zulj - Buriram United (v Shanghai Port FC)

One touch to create, one touch to finish. Zulj's perfectly weighted pass found Supachai Chaided bursting into space, and the finish felt inevitable from the moment the pass was played.

Rikuto Hirose - Vissel Kobe (v Gangwon FC)

A seven-goal thriller packed with quality, and Hirose's inch-perfect cross was among its standout moments. The delivery found Jean Patric completely unmarked inside the area for a simple finish.

Yacine Brahimi - Al Gharafa SC (v Al Shorta)

This free-kick routine was pure theatre. Brahimi's clever pass from near the halfway line caught everyone off guard before Ferjani Sassi rose highest to convert. One of those moves fans could watch over and over again.

Jesse Lingard - FC Seoul (v FC Machida Zelvia)

Lingard wasted no time in making his mark on the competition. The Englishman's perfectly weighted pass for Marko Dugandzic carved open the eventual finalists and set the tone for FC Seoul's campaign from Matchday One.

Now the decision is yours. Watch the nominees again and cast your vote for the Assist of the Season – Presented by Qatar Airways.

Poll ends at 17:00 (UTC+) on May 28.

#ACLElite: Vote for your Assist of the Season - Presented by Qatar Airways

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