Saudi Clubs Lead Charge in AFC Champions League as Ronaldo Aims for Glory

TEHRAN, Iran — Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr is aiming for a breakthrough in the AFC Champions League as they face Esteghlal of Tehran in the Round of 16 next week. The match is crucial for both the 40-year-old forward and the Riyadh club, who seek to claim their first Asian title since Ronaldo’s arrival in December 2022.

Despite a strong performance from Ronaldo, who scored six goals in the group stage, Al-Nassr currently sits fourth in the Saudi Pro League, nine points behind the leaders. Their recent 2-1 defeat to Al-Orubah has intensified the pressure on coach Stefano Pioli. “We had many chances but could not score,” said Pioli. “We have to prepare quickly for the Asian Champions League.”

Ronaldo, who has five UEFA Champions League titles, has yet to secure a significant trophy with Al-Nassr. The club’s best opportunity this season appears to be the AFC Champions League, especially with matches being hosted in Saudi Arabia from the quarterfinals onward, increasing home-field advantages.

In contrast, rivals Al-Hilal, also part of the knockout stage, topped their group and are strong favorites against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor. Al-Hilal’s roster features notable talents including João Cancelo and Rúben Neves. Winless in their group stage, Pakhtakor scored only one victory out of eight matches, making Al-Hilal’s route to the next round look promising.

Al-Ahli, another Saudi contender, will face Qatar’s Al-Rayyan, supported by a potent attack featuring Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez. Toney recently shined with a hat trick against Al-Hilal, boosting Al-Ahli’s confidence heading into the clash.

In the Eastern zone, Japanese clubs like Yokohama F. Marinos, Vissel Kobe, and Kawasaki Frontale navigated their groups successfully, with Marinos scheduled to face Shanghai Port. “We have set our target to qualify for the next stage,” said Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Hector Bidoglio, whose team will compete against Thailand’s Buriram United.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has faced criticism over irregularities in its tournament’s format, particularly regarding the disqualification of clubs like Shandong Taishan due to travel issues amid political tensions. This has raised concerns about fairness and the potential impact on Saudi clubs trying to established dominance.

“The rules need examining,” said sources within the AFC, highlighting the need for continuity and equity as competitions expand. As the tournament progresses, the spotlight remains on how teams adjust to these shifts while trying to secure prestigious titles.

The AFC Champions League will culminate in the final slated for May 4 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, presenting an opportunity for these clubs to solidify their reputations on the continental stage.