Ronaldo targets AFC Champions League glory in Saudi clash

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr is among three heavyweight Saudi Arabian clubs poised to chase AFC Champions League Elite glory as the knockout stages kick off on Friday. 

The revamped competition’s final rounds, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, will be hosted in Jeddah from April 25 to May 3.

This year’s edition, rebranded as the AFC Champions League Elite, brings Asia’s top football clubs together in a high-stakes climax held at the impressive 62,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Backed by significant financial muscle, Saudi clubs have transformed the transfer landscape by attracting European stars.

Among the top contenders are Jeddah’s Al Ahli, and Riyadh-based rivals Al Hilal and Al Nassr, all considered front-runners for the continental crown.

The West Zone league stage saw Saudi dominance, with Al Hilal and Al Ahli cruising through unbeaten in eight matches, while Al Nassr followed closely behind, securing the top three spots and setting the stage for a possible all-Saudi finale.

Portugal’s Ronaldo, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, is still going strong at the age of 40 and has seven goals in the competition this season as he looks to win his first AFC Champions League in the twilight of a glittering career.

Al Nassr coach Stefano Pioli believes his side, who lost in the quarter-finals last year, can go all the way.

“I always have great confidence in the players because of our hard work in training,” said the former AC Milan boss.

“Sometimes the results do not do us justice but we know that we are on the right path.”

First his side must overcome last year’s losing finalists, Yokohama F-Marinos of Japan, who are in crisis after sacking manager Steve Holland last week less than four months after the former England assistant to Gareth Southgate took charge.

Yokohama are bottom of the J.League with just one win from 12 matches, but they topped the East Zone and then beat Chinese champions Shanghai Port 5-1 on aggregate in the last 16.

– Toney, Mahrez fire Al Ahli –

“Things haven’t been going well for us but it’s about what we do next,” Yokohama midfielder Riku Yamane said after a defeat in their first game under interim manager Patrick Kisnorbo last week.

“We need to all be on the same page about how we want to play, including the small details.”

The winners will meet either another Japanese club, Kawasaki Frontale, or Al Sadd of Qatar in the semi-finals.

Al Hilal, who are looking to become Asian champions for a record-extending fifth time, face South Korean debutants Gwangju.

The Saudi champions let Brazilian superstar Neymar return to Santos but they can still call on players of the calibre of Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and the Portuguese pair Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves.

“Al Hilal are a good team, like most West teams are and, to be honest, are better than teams from the East,” said Gwangju technical director Jang Ki-bong.

“But we are not afraid and we will fight to defy the odds and make sure that we do everything we can to compete against them.”

Al Ahli also have an embarrassment of riches, including former Premier League forwards Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez.

They face Thailand’s Buriram United with victory setting up a potential all-Saudi semi-final against Al Hilal.

“Holding the finals in Jeddah will help us, and we will give everything we have to win the title,” said former Manchester City attacker Mahrez.