Édouard Mendy and Riyad Mahrez are players of Al Ahli
Édouard Mendy and Riyad Mahrez have made football history after helping Al Ahli secure the AFC Champions League Elite title with a 2-0 victory over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Jeddah.
The win marks the first time in history that players have won major continental club titles across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The Saudi side dominated the final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, delivering a composed and clinical performance that secured both team and individual milestones.
Mendy and Mahrez had already conquered Europe, Mendy with Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League in 2021 and Mahrez with Manchester City in 2023.
Both also lifted the Africa Cup of Nations, Mendy with Senegal in 2021 and Mahrez with Algeria in 2019.
Now, with the Asian title added to their careers, the duo have completed a remarkable treble across three continents, a feat no other player has achieved.
Al Ahli’s road to the title began in September during the group stages of the newly formatted AFC Champions League Elite.
After finishing second behind fellow Saudi side Al Hilal, Al Ahli advanced through the knockout rounds with increasing authority.
They reached the final stage, hosted in their home city of Jeddah, and won three consecutive matches to claim their first-ever continental trophy.
In Saturday’s final, Brazilian winger Galeno opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a stunning curling strike into the top-right corner after a simple pass from Roberto Firmino.
The stadium erupted as Al Ahli took control. Just seven minutes later, Firmino turned provider again with a lofted cross from the right flank that found Franck Kessié, who powered a header past Louis Yamaguchi to make it 2-0.
The victory not only delivered Al Ahli their first Asian title but also immortalised two of Africa’s finest, Mendy and Mahrez, as pioneers who have conquered football across three continents.
FKA/MA
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