Cristiano Ronaldo is setting his sights on winning the AFC Champions League with Al Nassr, following a previous attempt that ended in the quarter-finals. The tournament has recently been rebranded as the AFC Champions League Elite, which will kick off on September 16, 2024, featuring a new format that includes 24 teams divided into East and West groups [46ab02f1].
Saudi teams, including Al Nassr and Al Hilal, are emerging as major contenders in this revamped competition. Al Hilal is particularly focused on securing its fifth title, while Al Ain, coached by Hernan Crespo, recently claimed the 2024 title [46ab02f1]. The knockout rounds of the tournament are set to begin in March 2025, promising an exciting conclusion to the season [35a20050].
In a notable transfer, Ivan Toney has moved to Al Ahli for over $45 million, further intensifying the competition among clubs in the region [46ab02f1]. The East zone of the tournament has been notably dominated by Japanese clubs, adding another layer of challenge for teams like Al Nassr [46ab02f1].
Ronaldo recently celebrated a remarkable milestone by scoring his 900th career goal, underscoring his ongoing impact in the world of football as he aims to add the AFC Champions League title to his extensive list of accolades [46ab02f1]. As the league prepares for its new season, fans are eager to see how these developments will shape the competition and the quality of play [35a20050].