Salem Al Dawsari has been at the forefront of Al Hilal’s bid for a fifth Asian title - contributing both goals and tactical intelligence. Such has the winger's impact been that his eight goals already represent his best outing in  a single season on the continental stage. 

The skipper, who turns 34 in August, won the AFC Champions League™ with Al Hilal in 2019 and 2021 and his experience - added to his leadership qualities - will be crucial in the Riyadh-based side’s bid to lift the coveted trophy again. 

Al Dawsari’s goals often come at pivotal moments - on Matchday 3, he delivered a remarkable performance by scoring a hat-trick in Al Hilal’s thrilling 5-4 win over defending champions Al Ain of the UAE and led from the front as they overcame a first leg deficit to beat Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor 4-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. 

There is no denying that Jasir Asani is a key factor behind Gwangju FC’s swashbucking run in their AFC Champions League Elite debut.

The Albanian international has taken the continental showpiece by storm from the first matchday, netting a hat-trick in Gwangju’s emphatic 7-3 win against Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos. 

The joint-leading scorer with nine goals, Asani’s dynamic play and scoring ability have left Gwangju’s opponents gasping and the striker rose to the occasion in the return leg of their last 16 tie against Japan’s Vissel, netting twice as the team from Korea Republic overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to advance 3-2 on aggregate. 

Riyad Mahrez is about as influential as they come in terms of goals, having either scored or assisted in 9 of the 10 matches Al Ahli have played in the AFC Champions League Elite this season.

With eight goals and seven assists, the Algerian international has lit up the competition and his form has helped make Al Ahli title challengers. 

The 34-year-old took just 85 seconds to make his mark in the competition, a glorious pass setting up Franck Kessie to score Al Ahli’s winning goal in their opening League Stage match against Persepolis FC and the Saudi Pro League side will be hoping their talisman continues to power their bid for the title.

Suphanat Mueanta is a latecomer to Buriram United’s AFC Champions League Elite campaign, his loan stint with Belgian club OH Leuven meant the Thai forward only got involved om Matchday 7 of the League Stage.

The 22-year-old’s impact, however, has been nothing short of outstanding for the reigning Thai League 1 champions.

Suphanat marked his first appearance with a stoppage time winner as Buriram edged Ulsan HD 2-1 before assisting Guilherme Bissoli in their 2-2 draw with Gwangju FC to book their place in the knockout stage. The right winger was the difference in a tight Round of 16 clash with Johor Darul Ta’zim, scoring the only goal to settle the two-legged affair.

Anderson Lopes has more than played his part as Yokohama F. Marinos recovered from an opening 7-3 defeat to Gwangju FC to top the East Zone’s League Stage with 18 points. 

His six goals powered Marinos to the top at the end of the League Stage and the Brazilian netted three over two legs in the 5-1 aggregate win against Shanghai Port FC of China in the Round of 16. 

His four assists are an indication of just how pivotal Anderson is to the Japanese side and with Marinos struggling at the moment, the muscular centre-forward must be at his devastating best if his team are to better last season’s runners-up finish. 

Few players command the spotlight like Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese icon has the weight of Al Nassr Club’s AFC Champions League Elite™ title hopes resting on his shoulders.

The five-time Ballon D’or winner’s consistency has been a key factor in Al Nassr’s advance to the quarter-finals, with Ronaldo well in the race for the Golden Boot title with seven goals.  

Having won every major European trophy - including a combined five UEFA Champions League titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid - Ronaldo would love to add the AFC Champions League Elite™ crown to his list of honours. 

Yasuto Wakizaka has led Kawasaki Frontale’s charge for a first AFC Champions League Elite title with outstanding performances as the skipper. Hailed for his technical skill and control in midfield, Wakizaka has featured in every game for Frontale this season. 

Appearing in his fifth continental campaign, the 30-year-old anchors Frontale’s build-up and often drops deep in defence to progress play. 

Wakizaka has only netted once so far - in Frontale’s  4-0 win over Korea Republic’s Pohang Steelers FC - but his reading off the game and leadership qualities have taken the Japanese side closer to realising their title dreams.

Skipper Akram Afif has been at his usual best as Al Sadd SC made a return to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2019. 

The two-time AFC Player of the Year has contributed five goals and two assists to keep his team on track, with the Qatari side aiming to add to the title won in 2011. 

The forward has time and again pulled Al Sadd out of holes and was outstanding in the second leg of their Round of 16 win against Al Wasl FC, setting up Moustafa Meshal for the equaliser before blasting a spectacular curler into the top corner for the third goal to cap a standout match.