Cristiano Ronaldo will make one last bid for the Asian Champions League title when the continent’s premier club competition kicks off on Monday, with Saudi Arabia’s powerhouse teams expected to dominate.
The 41-year-old former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star admitted in August that this is “probably my last year in football.” Despite a glittering career that includes five UEFA Champions League trophies and five Ballon d’Or awards, the Asian crown has so far eluded him.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr side enter the campaign under new coach Ange Postecoglou, dismissed by Tottenham in June 2025 despite guiding them to Europa League success. The Riyadh club boasts attacking firepower in Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mané and Ronaldo’s Portugal teammate João Félix. Al Nassr currently sit second in the Saudi Pro League, level on points with Al Hilal but behind on goal difference.
Al Hilal, managed by Simone Inzaghi, are seen as the biggest obstacle to Ronaldo’s dream. The club splashed out $150 million in the transfer market to sign England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa and Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal.
The competition format favors Saudi sides, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final staged in Saudi Arabia since its rebranding as the Champions League Elite in 2024. Al Ahli capitalized on home advantage to win back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026, most recently edging Japan’s Machida Zelvia 1-0 in extra time in Jeddah.
This year, five Saudi clubs — Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah are among the 32 teams, split evenly between East and West. Each team will play four home and four away matches.
Japan remains the strongest challenger to Saudi dominance, with J. League sides reaching the final in each of the last four editions. Reigning champions Kashima Antlers lead the charge among five Japanese entrants. Former Kashima star Yasushi Endo admitted the odds are stacked against them.
“It’s difficult for Japanese teams to be champions these days given the financial strength of teams in the West who can invest heavily in players from Europe,” Endo said. “With the tournament being played in a centralized format in the West, it also makes things extra difficult. We cannot underplay the importance of having large fan support.”
