Football history has been created as Al Ahli beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to win the AFC Champions League.
Goals from ex-Porto star Galeno and former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie in the first half were enough to seal the deal.
And upon the final whistle, Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, and Roberto Firmino all wrote their names in the history books.
The trio are now the only players to have won both the UEFA Champions League and the AFC Champions League.
Mendy won the UEFA tournament with Chelsea in 2021 when they beat Man City 1-0 in the final.
Mahrez claimed the same trophy in 2023 when he helped Man City defeat Inter Milan, also by a 1-0 scoreline.
While Firmino played a key role when Liverpool beat Tottenham to win the UEFA Champions League in 2019, defeating the north Londoners 2-0 in Madrid.
The Brazilian was also crowned Player of the Tournament, having scored six goals and assisted seven in his 12 appearances.
And he did so by channeling his former manager Jurgen Klopp.
“I am very happy and proud of the team, and of course very happy to make history here at this club,” the Al Ahli captain said.
“It is not easy to become champions. We fight every match, and I call it the monster mentality. When you have the monster mentality to win all the games, then you become champions.”
Meanwhile, Mahrez added: “This is why we play football, to play in matches like this,” Mahrez said.
GettyFirmino had double delight as he also won the Player of the Tournament award[/caption] GettyMahrez shared the moment with his daughter[/caption] GettyMendy was celebrating in style[/caption]“It is the first time for Al Ahli Club to win the Champions League. That was the aim. When we came here we wanted to make Al Ahli top of Asia and that is what we did.
“We played so good throughout the competition. We knew today would be a tricky game but we were so strong and so focused.
“That is how you win trophies and we are so happy. Now we have to celebrate and enjoy with family, friends.”
Al Ahli manager Mattias Jaissle was quick to thank the club’s fans, who saved him from the sack earlier in the year when the club hit a tough patch.
It was reported he could be replaced by ex-Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri but the supporters’ intervention stopped the move.
“The incredible fans totally deserved this as well,” Jaissle said.
Al Ahli celebrated with delightGetty“It is nice to give something back to all the supporters, especially the ones who were always there, even when there were ups and downs.
“It is never easy. There is a lot of pressure in such a match, and the way the players dealt with it is not normal. They showed great personality.”
Al Ahli were unbeaten in the entire AFC Champions League campaign, winning 12 of their 13 matches.
The only blot on their copybook was a 2-2 draw with Iranian side Esteghlal in December during the group stages.
So it’s no surprise their manager felt the win was fully deserved.
“I’m so proud of how they played throughout the journey in this competition,” Jaissle said.
“They put all their effort into that, and also the fans who always created an amazing atmosphere in support. We never took that for granted.
“Together you can achieve special things, and that is what happened tonight. I am almost speechless, but also all the respect for our opponents.
“Overall, to be frank, we totally deserved it.”
The victory also saw ex-Premier League striker Ivan Toney pick up his first major trophy.
He is in the Al Ahli squad along with other recognisable names including ex-Leeds star Ezgjan Alioski, Spanish talent Gabri Veiga, and former Serie A defenders Roger Ibanez and Merih Demiral.
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