Ronaldo's last shot? Al Nassr spearhead Saudi push for AFC Champions League Elite | OneFootball

The AFC Champions League Elite kicks off next week, offering what could be Cristiano Ronaldo's final tilt at Asia, as Saudi heavyweights bid to keep the trophy in Riyadh or Jeddah. Five Saudi clubs lead the charge after spending over $2 billion since 2023.

"We have a really good squad, a deep squad, our goal is to win every competition we can. We don't play to dream - we play to win," said Al-Nassr forward Joao Felix to The Associated Press.

Al-Nassr, with Ronaldo and Felix under new boss Ange Postecoglou, target continental silverware after finishing runners-up in AFC Champions League Two last season. Defending champions Al-Ahli are chasing a third straight crown as the western zone gets under way.

Al-Ahli captain Edouard Mendy struck a similar note. "This is the biggest club in Saudi Arabia and Asia and we will do everything to win."

Competition in the west has intensified after Al-Hilal spent over $200 million on Premier League trio Ollie Watkins, Gabriel Martinelli and Crysencio Summerville. Iran's clubs will stage home games on neutral turf amid regional tensions. In the east, Japan and South Korea’s heavyweights are ready to challenge Gulf dominance.

Al-Nassr visit Al Ain on Tuesday. Al-Ahli host Pakhtakor, while Esteghlal and Tractor play at neutral venues. The top eight from each zone progress to the round of 16.

Source: Goal.com

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