AFC Champions League Elite

Updated: 1/1/1970, 12:00:00 AM Wikipedia source

The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's top-division football clubs. It is the most prestigious club competition in Asian football, played by the national league champions (and, for some nations, one or more runners-up) of their national associations. Introduced in 1967 as the Asian Champion Club Tournament, the competition rebranded as AFC Champions League in 2002 following the merger of the Asian Club Championship, the Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the Asian Super Cup. It was rebranded again in 2024 to its current name. A total of 24 clubs compete in the league stage of the competition, divided into East and West regions (12 teams each). The winner of the AFC Champions League Elite qualifies for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, and also for the next edition of the AFC Champions League Elite league stage if they have not already qualified through their domestic performance. The most successful club in the competition is Al-Hilal with a total of four titles. Al-Ahli are the current champions, having beaten Kawasaki Frontale 2–0 in the 2025 final.

Infobox

Organiser(s)

AFC

Founded

1967; 58 years ago (1967) (as Asian Champion Club Tournament)

Region

Asia

Teams

24 (league stage)

Qualifier for

FIFA Club World CupFIFA Intercontinental Cup

Related competitions

AFC Champions League Two(2nd tier)AFC Challenge League(3rd tier)

Current champions

Al-Ahli (1st title)

Most championships

Al-Hilal (4 titles)

Website

www.the-afc.com

Tables

List of winners · History

Asian Champion Club Tournament

Season

Asian Champion Club Tournament

1967

Season

1967

Winners

Hapoel Tel Aviv

1969

Season

1969

Winners

Maccabi Tel Aviv

1970

Season

1970

Winners

Taj Tehran

1971

Season

1971

Winners

Maccabi Tel Aviv (2)

1972

Season

1972

Winners

Cancelled

1973–1984: Not held

Season

1973–1984: Not held

Asian Club Championship

Season

Asian Club Championship

1985–86

Season

1985–86

Winners

Daewoo Royals

1986

Season

1986

Winners

Furukawa Electric

1987

Season

1987

Winners

Yomiuri FC

1988–89

Season

1988–89

Winners

Al-Sadd

1989–90

Season

1989–90

Winners

Liaoning

1990–91

Season

1990–91

Winners

Esteghlal (2)

1991

Season

1991

Winners

Al-Hilal

1992–93

Season

1992–93

Winners

PAS Tehran

1993–94

Season

1993–94

Winners

Thai Farmers Bank

1994–95

Season

1994–95

Winners

Thai Farmers Bank (2)

1995

Season

1995

Winners

Ilhwa Chunma

1996–97

Season

1996–97

Winners

Pohang Steelers

1997–98

Season

1997–98

Winners

Pohang Steelers (2)

1998–99

Season

1998–99

Winners

Júbilo Iwata

1999–2000

Season

1999–2000

Winners

Al-Hilal (2)

2000–01

Season

2000–01

Winners

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

2001–02

Season

2001–02

Winners

Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2)

AFC Champions League

Season

AFC Champions League

2002–03

Season

2002–03

Winners

Al Ain

2004

Season

2004

Winners

Al-Ittihad

2005

Season

2005

Winners

Al-Ittihad (2)

2006

Season

2006

Winners

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

2007

Season

2007

Winners

Urawa Red Diamonds

2008

Season

2008

Winners

Gamba Osaka

2009

Season

2009

Winners

Pohang Steelers (3)

2010

Season

2010

Winners

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2)

2011

Season

2011

Winners

Al-Sadd (2)

2012

Season

2012

Winners

Ulsan Hyundai

2013

Season

2013

Winners

Guangzhou Evergrande

2014

Season

2014

Winners

Western Sydney Wanderers

2015

Season

2015

Winners

Guangzhou Evergrande (2)

2016

Season

2016

Winners

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2)

2017

Season

2017

Winners

Urawa Red Diamonds (2)

2018

Season

2018

Winners

Kashima Antlers

2019

Season

2019

Winners

Al-Hilal (3)

2020

Season

2020

Winners

Ulsan Hyundai (2)

2021

Season

2021

Winners

Al-Hilal (4)

2022

Season

2022

Winners

Urawa Red Diamonds (3)

2023–24

Season

2023–24

Winners

Al Ain (2)

AFC Champions League Elite

Season

AFC Champions League Elite

2024–25

Season

2024–25

Winners

Al-Ahli

Season	Winners
Asian Champion Club Tournament
1967	Hapoel Tel Aviv
1969	Maccabi Tel Aviv
1970	Taj Tehran
1971	Maccabi Tel Aviv (2)
1972	Cancelled
1973–1984: Not held
Asian Club Championship
1985–86	Daewoo Royals
1986	Furukawa Electric
1987	Yomiuri FC
1988–89	Al-Sadd
1989–90	Liaoning
1990–91	Esteghlal (2)
1991	Al-Hilal
1992–93	PAS Tehran
1993–94	Thai Farmers Bank
1994–95	Thai Farmers Bank (2)
1995	Ilhwa Chunma
1996–97	Pohang Steelers
1997–98	Pohang Steelers (2)
1998–99	Júbilo Iwata
1999–2000	Al-Hilal (2)
2000–01	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
2001–02	Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2)
AFC Champions League
2002–03	Al Ain
2004	Al-Ittihad
2005	Al-Ittihad (2)
2006	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
2007	Urawa Red Diamonds
2008	Gamba Osaka
2009	Pohang Steelers (3)
2010	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2)
2011	Al-Sadd (2)
2012	Ulsan Hyundai
2013	Guangzhou Evergrande
2014	Western Sydney Wanderers
2015	Guangzhou Evergrande (2)
2016	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2)
2017	Urawa Red Diamonds (2)
2018	Kashima Antlers
2019	Al-Hilal (3)
2020	Ulsan Hyundai (2)
2021	Al-Hilal (4)
2022	Urawa Red Diamonds (3)
2023–24	Al Ain (2)
AFC Champions League Elite
2024–25	Al-Ahli

2002–03

Associations

2002–03

Entrants

2004

Entrants

2005

Entrants

2006

Entrants

2007

Entrants

2008

Entrants

2009

Entrants

2010

Entrants

2011

Entrants

2012

Entrants

2013

Entrants

2014

Entrants

2015

Entrants

2016

Entrants

2017

Entrants

2018

Entrants

2019

Entrants

2020

Entrants

2021

Entrants

2022

Entrants

2023–24

Entrants

2024–25

Entrants

2025–26

East Asia

Associations

East Asia

Australia

Associations

Australia

Entrants

Part of OFC

Entrants

China PR

Associations

China PR

Entrants

Hong Kong

Associations

Hong Kong

Entrants

Indonesia

Associations

Indonesia

Entrants

Japan

Associations

Japan

Entrants

South Korea

Associations

South Korea

Entrants

Malaysia

Associations

Malaysia

Entrants

Philippines

Associations

Philippines

Entrants

Singapore

Associations

Singapore

Entrants

Thailand

Associations

Thailand

Entrants

Vietnam

Associations

Vietnam

Entrants

Total

Associations

Total

Entrants

West Asia

Associations

West Asia

Bahrain

Associations

Bahrain

Entrants

India

Associations

India

Entrants

Iran

Associations

Iran

Entrants

Iraq

Associations

Iraq

Entrants

Jordan

Associations

Jordan

Entrants

Kuwait

Associations

Kuwait

Entrants

Qatar

Associations

Qatar

Entrants

Saudi Arabia

Associations

Saudi Arabia

Entrants

Syria

Associations

Syria

Entrants

Tajikistan

Associations

Tajikistan

Entrants

Turkmenistan

Associations

Turkmenistan

Entrants

United Arab Emirates

Associations

United Arab Emirates

Entrants

Uzbekistan

Associations

Uzbekistan

Entrants

Total

Associations

Total

Entrants

Total

Associations

Total

Finals

Associations

Finals

Entrants

Qualifying

Associations

Qualifying

Entrants

Associations	Entrants
Associations	2002–03	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023–24	2024–25	2025–26
East Asia
Australia	Part of OFC				2	2	2	2	2	3	1*	3	2*	2*	3	2*	2*	3	0	2*	1	1	1
China PR	2	2	2	2	2	2	4	4	4	3	4	4	4	4	3*	4	4	4	2*	2	3*	3*	3*
Hong Kong	0*	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*	1*	1*	0*	0*	1	1	1*	0	0
Indonesia	0*	2	2	0	2	0	1*	1*	1*	0*	0	0	0*	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0	0	0*	0	0
Japan	2	2	2	2	2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	3*	4	4	4	3	3
South Korea	2	2	2	2	3	2	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	3	3
Malaysia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0*	1*	1*	1	1	1	1	1
Philippines	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0*	2	1*	1	0	0
Singapore	0*	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	1	1	1	0	0
Thailand	2	2	2	0	1	2	0*	0*	0*	1*	2	1*	1*	1*	1*	1*	1*	1*	4	2*	3*	1*	1*
Vietnam	0*	2	2	2	1	2	0	0*	0	0	0	0*	1*	1*	0*	0*	0*	0*	1	1	1*	0	0
Total	8	12	12	8	13	13	16	16	15	15	15	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	20	19	20	12	12
West Asia
Bahrain	0*	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0	0	0*	0	0*	0*	0	0	0	0
India	0*	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	1	1	1	0	0
Iran	2	2	2	2	1	2	4	4	4	3*	3*	4	4	3*	4	4	3*	4	4	2	3*	2*	1*
Iraq	1*	2	2	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0	0	0	0	1*	1*	2*	1*	1	1	1
Jordan	0*	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	0*	1	1	1*	0	0
Kuwait	0*	1	2	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*	0	0	0	0
Qatar	1*	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	3	4	4	4	2*	2*	2*	4	3*	2*	3*	4	2*	2*	3
Saudi Arabia	1*	2	3	3	2	2	4	4	4	3*	4	4	4	4	4	2	4	4	3*	4	4	3	3
Syria	0*	0	2	2	2	2	0	0*	0*	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0	0	0
Tajikistan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	1	1	1	0	0
Turkmenistan	1*	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0
United Arab Emirates	1*	3	2	2	2	2	4	4	4	4	4	3*	2*	3*	4	4	3*	4	3*	3*	2*	1*	3
Uzbekistan	1*	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	3*	2*	1*	4	4	2*	2*	2*	1*	2	2	4	1	1
Total	8	14	17	17	15	16	16	16	17	17	17	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	20	20	20	12	12
Total
Finals	16	26	29	25	28	29	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	40	39	40	24	24
Qualifying	53	26	29	25	28	29	35	37	36	37	35	47	49	45	47	46	51	52	45	46	53	27	26

· Prize money

Per team

Round

Per team

Teams

Total

Final (champions)

Round

Final (champions)

Teams

Amount

$10 million

Final (runners-up)

Round

Final (runners-up)

Teams

Amount

$4 million

Semi-finals

Round

Semi-finals

Teams

Amount

$600,000

Amount

$2.4 million

Quarter-finals

Round

Quarter-finals

Teams

Amount

$400,000

Amount

$3.2 million

Round of 16

Round

Round of 16

Teams

Amount

$200,000

Amount

$3.2 million

League stage

Round

League stage

Teams

Amount

$800,000

Amount

$19.2 million

Total

Round

Total

Teams

Amount

$42 million

Round	Teams	Amount
Round	Teams	Per team	Total
Final (champions)	1	$10 million
Final (runners-up)	1	$4 million
Semi-finals	4	$600,000	million
Quarter-finals	8	$400,000	million
Round of 16	16	$200,000	million
League stage	24	$800,000	million
Total	24	$42 million

Performances in the Asian Club Championship and AFC Champions League Elite by club · Records and statistics › Performances by club

Al-Hilal

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Al-Hilal

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1991, 1999–2000, 2019, 2021

Seasons runner-up

1986, 1987, 2014, 2017, 2022

Pohang Steelers

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1996–97, 1997–98, 2009

Seasons runner-up

2021

Urawa Red Diamonds

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2007, 2017, 2022

Seasons runner-up

2019

Esteghlal

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1970, 1990–91

Seasons runner-up

1991, 1998–99

Seongnam FC

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1995, 2010

Seasons runner-up

1996–97, 2004

Al Ain

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2002–03, 2023–24

Seasons runner-up

2005, 2016

Al-Ittihad

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2004, 2005

Seasons runner-up

2009

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2006, 2016

Seasons runner-up

2011

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1969, 1971

Seasons runner-up

—

Al-Sadd

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1988–89, 2011

Seasons runner-up

—

Thai Farmers Bank

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1993–94, 1994–95

Seasons runner-up

—

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2000–01, 2001–02

Seasons runner-up

—

Ulsan HD

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2012, 2020

Seasons runner-up

—

Guangzhou

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2013, 2015

Seasons runner-up

—

Júbilo Iwata

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1998–99

Seasons runner-up

1999–2000, 2000–01

Al-Ahli

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2024–25

Seasons runner-up

1985–86, 2012

Hapoel Tel Aviv

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1967

Seasons runner-up

1970

Liaoning

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1989–90

Seasons runner-up

1990–91

Busan IPark

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1985–86

Seasons runner-up

—

JEF United Chiba

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1986

Seasons runner-up

—

Tokyo Verdy

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1987

Seasons runner-up

—

PAS Tehran

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

1992–93

Seasons runner-up

—

Gamba Osaka

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2008

Seasons runner-up

—

Western Sydney Wanderers

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2014

Seasons runner-up

—

Kashima Antlers

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

2018

Seasons runner-up

—

Yokohama F. Marinos

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1989–90, 2023–24

FC Seoul

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2001–02, 2013

Persepolis

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2018, 2020

Selangor

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1967

Yangzee

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1969

Aliyat Al-Shorta

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1971

Al-Rasheed

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1988–89

Al-Shabab

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1992–93

Oman Club

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1993–94

Al-Arabi

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1994–95

Al-Nassr

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1995

Dalian Shide

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

1997–98

Police Tero

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2002–03

Al-Karamah

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2006

Sepahan

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2007

Adelaide United

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2008

Zob Ahan

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2010

Shabab Al-Ahli

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2015

Kawasaki Frontale

Title(s)

Runners-up

Seasons won

—

Seasons runner-up

2024–25

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Al-Hilal	4	5	1991, 1999–2000, 2019, 2021	1986, 1987, 2014, 2017, 2022
Pohang Steelers	3	1	1996–97, 1997–98, 2009	2021
Urawa Red Diamonds	3	1	2007, 2017, 2022	2019
Esteghlal	2	2	1970, 1990–91	1991, 1998–99
Seongnam FC	2	2	1995, 2010	1996–97, 2004
Al Ain	2	2	2002–03, 2023–24	2005, 2016
Al-Ittihad	2	1	2004, 2005	2009
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	2	1	2006, 2016	2011
Maccabi Tel Aviv	2	0	1969, 1971	—
Al-Sadd	2	0	1988–89, 2011	—
Thai Farmers Bank	2	0	1993–94, 1994–95	—
Suwon Samsung Bluewings	2	0	2000–01, 2001–02	—
Ulsan HD	2	0	2012, 2020	—
Guangzhou	2	0	2013, 2015	—
Júbilo Iwata	1	2	1998–99	1999–2000, 2000–01
Al-Ahli	1	2	2024–25	1985–86, 2012
Hapoel Tel Aviv	1	1	1967	1970
Liaoning	1	1	1989–90	1990–91
Busan IPark	1	0	1985–86	—
JEF United Chiba	1	0	1986	—
Tokyo Verdy	1	0	1987	—
PAS Tehran	1	0	1992–93	—
Gamba Osaka	1	0	2008	—
Western Sydney Wanderers	1	0	2014	—
Kashima Antlers	1	0	2018	—
Yokohama F. Marinos	0	2	—	1989–90, 2023–24
FC Seoul	0	2	—	2001–02, 2013
Persepolis	0	2	—	2018, 2020
Selangor	0	1	—	1967
Yangzee	0	1	—	1969
Aliyat Al-Shorta	0	1	—	1971
Al-Rasheed	0	1	—	1988–89
Al-Shabab	0	1	—	1992–93
Oman Club	0	1	—	1993–94
Al-Arabi	0	1	—	1994–95
Al-Nassr	0	1	—	1995
Dalian Shide	0	1	—	1997–98
Police Tero	0	1	—	2002–03
Al-Karamah	0	1	—	2006
Sepahan	0	1	—	2007
Adelaide United	0	1	—	2008
Zob Ahan	0	1	—	2010
Shabab Al-Ahli	0	1	—	2015
Kawasaki Frontale	0	1	—	2024–25

Performances in finals by nation · Records and statistics › Performances by nation

South Korea

vte Nation

South Korea

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Japan

vte Nation

Japan

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Saudi Arabia

vte Nation

Saudi Arabia

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Iran

vte Nation

Iran

Titles

Runners-up

Total

China

vte Nation

China

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Israel

vte Nation

Israel

Titles

Runners-up

Total

United Arab Emirates

vte Nation

United Arab Emirates

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Qatar

vte Nation

Qatar

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Thailand

vte Nation

Thailand

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Australia

vte Nation

Australia

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Iraq

vte Nation

Iraq

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Malaysia

vte Nation

Malaysia

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Oman

vte Nation

Oman

Titles

Runners-up

Total

Syria

vte Nation

Syria

Titles

Runners-up

Total

vte Nation	Titles	Runners-up	Total
South Korea	12	7	19
Japan	8	6	14
Saudi Arabia	7	10	17
Iran	3	6	9
China	3	2	5
Israel	3	1	4
United Arab Emirates	2	3	5
Qatar	2	1	3
Thailand	2	1	3
Australia	1	1	2
Iraq	0	2	2
Malaysia	0	1	1
Oman	0	1	1
Syria	0	1	1

· Records and statistics › Performances by region

East Zone

Zone

East Zone

Federation (region)

EAFF (East Asia)

Titles

Total

AFF (Southeast Asia)

Zone

AFF (Southeast Asia)

Federation (region)

West Zone

Zone

West Zone

Federation (region)

WAFF (West Asia)

Titles

Total

CAFA (Central Asia)

Zone

CAFA (Central Asia)

Federation (region)

SAFF (South Asia)

Zone

SAFF (South Asia)

Federation (region)

Zone	Federation (region)	Titles	Total
East Zone	EAFF (East Asia)	23	26
East Zone	AFF (Southeast Asia)	3	26
West Zone	WAFF (West Asia)	11	14
	CAFA (Central Asia)	3
	SAFF (South Asia)	0

· Awards › Most Valuable Player

1996–97

Year

1996–97

Player

An Ik-soo

Club

Pohang Steelers

1997–98

Year

1997–98

Player

Ahmed Al-Dokhi

Club

Al Hilal

1998–99

Year

1998–99

Player

Seydou Traoré

Club

Al-Ain

1999–2000

Year

1999–2000

Player

Sérgio Ricardo

Club

Al Hilal

2000–01

Year

2000–01

Player

Zoltan Sabo

Club

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

2001–02

Year

2001–02

Player

—

2002–03

Year

2002–03

Player

Therdsak Chaiman

Club

BEC Tero Sasana

2004

Year

2004

Player

Redha Tukar

Club

Al-Ittihad

2005

Year

2005

Player

Mohammed Noor

Club

Al-Ittihad

2006

Year

2006

Player

Choi Jin-cheul

Club

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

2007

Year

2007

Player

Yuichiro Nagai

Club

Urawa Red Diamonds

2008

Year

2008

Player

Yasuhito Endō

Club

Gamba Osaka

2009

Year

2009

Player

No Byung-jun

Club

Pohang Steelers

2010

Year

2010

Player

Sasa Ognenovski

Club

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

2011

Year

2011

Player

Lee Dong-gook

Club

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

2012

Year

2012

Player

Lee Keun-ho

Club

Ulsan Hyundai

2013

Year

2013

Player

Muriqui

Club

Guangzhou Evergrande

2014

Year

2014

Player

Ante Covic

Club

Western Sydney Wanderers

2015

Year

2015

Player

Ricardo Goulart

Club

Guangzhou Evergrande

2016

Year

2016

Player

Omar Abdulrahman

Club

Al-Ain

2017

Year

2017

Player

Yōsuke Kashiwagi

Club

Urawa Red Diamonds

2018

Year

2018

Player

Yuma Suzuki

Club

Kashima Antlers

2019

Year

2019

Player

Bafétimbi Gomis

Club

Al-Hilal

2020

Year

2020

Player

Yoon Bit-garam

Club

Ulsan Hyundai

2021

Year

2021

Player

Salem Al-Dawsari

Club

Al-Hilal

2022

Year

2022

Player

Hiroki Sakai

Club

Urawa Red Diamonds

2023–24

Year

2023–24

Player

Soufiane Rahimi

Club

Al Ain

2024–25

Year

2024–25

Player

Roberto Firmino

Club

Al-Ahli

Year	Player	Club	Ref.
1996–97	An Ik-soo	Pohang Steelers
1997–98	Ahmed Al-Dokhi	Al Hilal
1998–99	Seydou Traoré	Al-Ain
1999–2000	Sérgio Ricardo	Al Hilal
2000–01	Zoltan Sabo	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
2001–02	—
2002–03	Therdsak Chaiman	BEC Tero Sasana
2004	Redha Tukar	Al-Ittihad
2005	Mohammed Noor	Al-Ittihad
2006	Choi Jin-cheul	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
2007	Yuichiro Nagai	Urawa Red Diamonds
2008	Yasuhito Endō	Gamba Osaka
2009	No Byung-jun	Pohang Steelers
2010	Sasa Ognenovski	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
2011	Lee Dong-gook	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
2012	Lee Keun-ho	Ulsan Hyundai
2013	Muriqui	Guangzhou Evergrande
2014	Ante Covic	Western Sydney Wanderers
2015	Ricardo Goulart	Guangzhou Evergrande
2016	Omar Abdulrahman	Al-Ain
2017	Yōsuke Kashiwagi	Urawa Red Diamonds
2018	Yuma Suzuki	Kashima Antlers
2019	Bafétimbi Gomis	Al-Hilal
2020	Yoon Bit-garam	Ulsan Hyundai
2021	Salem Al-Dawsari	Al-Hilal
2022	Hiroki Sakai	Urawa Red Diamonds
2023–24	Soufiane Rahimi	Al Ain
2024–25	Roberto Firmino	Al-Ahli

· Awards › Top scorers

1996–97

Year

1996–97

Player

Park Tae-ha

Club

Pohang Steelers

Goals

2002–03

Year

2002–03

Player

Hao Haidong

Club

Dalian Shide

Goals

2004

Year

2004

Player

Kim Do-hoon

Club

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

Goals

2005

Year

2005

Player

Mohamed Kallon

Club

Al-Ittihad

Goals

2006

Year

2006

Player

Magno Alves

Club

Gamba Osaka

Goals

2007

Year

2007

Player

Mota

Club

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

Goals

2008

Year

2008

Player

Nantawat Tansopa

Club

Krung Thai Bank

Goals

2009

Year

2009

Player

Leandro

Club

Gamba Osaka

Goals

2010

Year

2010

Player

Jose Mota

Club

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Goals

2011

Year

2011

Player

Lee Dong-gook

Club

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Goals

2012

Year

2012

Player

Ricardo Oliveira

Club

Al-Jazira

Goals

2013

Year

2013

Player

Muriqui

Club

Guangzhou Evergrande

Goals

2014

Year

2014

Player

Asamoah Gyan

Club

Al-Ain

Goals

2015

Year

2015

Player

Ricardo Goulart

Club

Guangzhou Evergrande

Goals

2016

Year

2016

Player

Adriano

Club

FC Seoul

Goals

2017

Year

2017

Player

Omar Kharbin

Club

Al-Hilal

Goals

2018

Year

2018

Player

Baghdad Bounedjah

Club

Al-Sadd

Goals

2019

Year

2019

Player

Bafétimbi Gomis

Club

Al-Hilal

Goals

2020

Year

2020

Player

Abderrazak Hamdallah

Club

Al-Nassr

Goals

2021

Year

2021

Player

Michael Olunga

Club

Al-Duhail

Goals

2022

Year

2022

Player

Edmilson Junior

Club

Al-Duhail

Goals

2023–24

Year

2023–24

Player

Soufiane Rahimi

Club

Al Ain

Goals

2024–25

Year

2024–25

Player

Salem Al-Dawsari

Club

Al-Hilal

Goals

Year	Player	Club	Goals	Ref.
1996–97	Park Tae-ha	Pohang Steelers	3
2002–03	Hao Haidong	Dalian Shide	9
2004	Kim Do-hoon	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma	9
2005	Mohamed Kallon	Al-Ittihad	6
2006	Magno Alves	Gamba Osaka	8
2007	Mota	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma	7
2008	Nantawat Tansopa	Krung Thai Bank	9
2009	Leandro	Gamba Osaka	10
2010	Jose Mota	Suwon Samsung Bluewings	9
2011	Lee Dong-gook	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	9
2012	Ricardo Oliveira	Al-Jazira	12
2013	Muriqui	Guangzhou Evergrande	13
2014	Asamoah Gyan	Al-Ain	12
2015	Ricardo Goulart	Guangzhou Evergrande	8
2016	Adriano	FC Seoul	13
2017	Omar Kharbin	Al-Hilal	10
2018	Baghdad Bounedjah	Al-Sadd	13
2019	Bafétimbi Gomis	Al-Hilal	11
2020	Abderrazak Hamdallah	Al-Nassr	7
2021	Michael Olunga	Al-Duhail	9
2022	Edmilson Junior	Al-Duhail	8
2023–24	Soufiane Rahimi	Al Ain	13
2024–25	Salem Al-Dawsari	Al-Hilal	10

References

the-AFC.com
https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/afc-champions-league-the-drama-the-glory-22276
"Asian nations soccer contest"
https://gpa.eastview.com/crl/mena/newspapers/iraq19630418-01.1.11
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http://www.jpress.nli.org.il/Olive/APA/NLI/get/pdf.ashx?pdf=0%2BHlaC4kUNFvVrR8ITavV2M%3D
RSSSF
https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/ascup71.html#cc
Kooora
https://web.archive.org/web/20200725044347/https://www.9ory.com/uploads-05-2020/9ory-com_159036176143791.jpg
Asian Football
http://www.asian-football.com:80/leagues/clubhist.html
"Asian Football Confederation"
https://web.archive.org/web/20090205100912/http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/Documents/common/cms/afc/AFC%20PRO-LEAGUE%20AD-HOC%20COMMITTEE%20ASSESSMENT%20CHARTS%201.pdf
"Criteria for Participation in AFC Club Competitions"
https://web.archive.org/web/20120818173523/http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/Documents/regulation/clubcriteria.pdf
"ACL base widened from 2014"
https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/cfed/news/acl_base_widened_from_2014.html
"AFC Slots"
https://web.archive.org/web/20131203143845/http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/27301-afc-exco-slots-261113.html
"AFC to invest in new era of national team and club competitions"
https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/afc-to-invest-in-new-era-of-national-team-and-club-competitions
the-AFC.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/committees/executive_committee/news/afc_executive_committee_unveils_dynamic_enhancements_to_the_afc_club_competitions.html
ESPN
https://www.espn.com/espys/story/_/id/29324440/iranian-women-were-banned-soccer-stadiums-40-years-maryam-shojaei-fought-fix-that
dw.com
https://www.dw.com/fa-ir/iran/a-46251340
the Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/09/iranian-women-allowed-to-watch-football-at-stadium-for-first-time-in-decades
ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/International/iran-hundreds-women-attend-major-soccer-match-tehran/story?id=59112343
ایمنا
https://www.imna.ir/news/532190/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%88-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%D9%82%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A2%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%B0%D9%81-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF
AFC
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_competitions/news/afc_competitions_committee_recommends_strategic_reforms_to_elevate_asian_club_football.html
AFC
https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/committees/executive_committee/news/afc_executive_committee_approves_biggest_prize_purse_in_asian_club_football_history_from_202425_announces_afc_women%E2%80%99s_champions_league.html
AFC
https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/cfed/news/pivotal_reforms_approved_by_afc_competitions_committee.html
AFC
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/xx_1.html
the-afc.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20131203143845/http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/27301-afc-exco-slots-261113.html
A-Leagues
https://aleagues.com.au/news/new-afc-champions-league-format-explained-mariners-sydney-fc-acl-elite-two-details/
AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ArWIVMsvoI
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite/news/iconic_new_trophy_unveiled_aclelite_1.html
Thomas Lyte
https://thomaslyte.com/afc-champions-league-elite-designers-and-makers/
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news/news/afc_and_neom_announce_global_multi-year_partnership_extension.html
SportsPro
https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/afc-qatar-airways-sponsorship-deal/?zephr_sso_ott=48Ii8W
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news/news/afc_and_qatar_airways_announce_global_partnership.html
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/afc-and-kelme-extend-multi-year-partnership
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/midea-becomes-global-supporter-of-the-afc%E2%80%99s-club-competitions
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/tecno-and-afc-renew-partnership-for-upcoming-club-competition-seasons
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/afc-and-visa-expand-partnership
VideoGamer
https://www.videogamer.com/news/efootball-2024-konami-new-license-afc-champions-league/
"1996 ASIAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP"
https://web.archive.org/web/19970707233755/http://www.asian-football.com/comp/club/index.club.html
al-jazirah.com
http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1998/APR1998/06-04-1998-9321/9321-01501.jpg
"Asian Club Championship 18th Edition 1998/99"
https://web.archive.org/web/19990422104622/http://www.asian-football.com/competitions/club/club_frame.html
al-jazirah.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20210902105809/https://www.al-jazirah.com/2000/20000424/sp1.htm
The Chosun Ilbo
https://web.archive.org/web/20210607115059/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2001/05/27/2001052770096.html
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/afc-champions-league-mvp-memories-therdsak-chaiman
China Daily
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-09/22/content_479949_2.htm
"Preparation was vital for MVP Noor"
https://web.archive.org/web/20051107010607/http://www.footballasia.com/acl/en/news/index.asp
Yonhap News Agency
https://web.archive.org/web/20210902105014/https://n.news.naver.com/sports/general/article/001/0001462555
AFC
https://web.archive.org/web/20180915133546/http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-champions-league-2009/25921-acl-awards
"Ognenovski crowned AFC player of the year"
https://web.archive.org/web/20101207134104/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1340524.html
The-AFC.com
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/834-afc-champions-league-2011/37034-acl-final-awards
"Livewire Lee name MVP"
https://web.archive.org/web/20121117014522/http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/935-afc-champions-league-2012/40521-livewire-lee-name-mvp
"Triple delight for Muriqui"
https://web.archive.org/web/20131109205114/http://www.the-afc.com/en/acl-news/acl-all-news/27183-triple-delight-muriqui.html
"Custodian Covic named Most Valuable Player"
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2014/custodian-covic-named-most-valuable-player
"Hotshot Goulart adds awards to ACL title success"
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2015/hotshot-goulart-adds-awards-to-acl-title-success
"Omar Abdulrahman lands AFC Champions League 2016 MVP award"
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2016/omar-abdulrahman-lands-afc-champions-league-2016-mvp-award
"Yosuke Kashiwagi clinches AFC Champions League MVP Award"
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/yosuke-kashiwagi-clinches-afc-champions-league-mvp-award
"Yuma Suzuki of Kashima named 2018 MVP"
http://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/yuma-suzuki-of-kashima-named-2018-mvp
"Al Hilal's Gomis wins MVP, Top Scorer awards"
https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/al-hilal-s-gomis-wins-mvp-top-scorer-awards
the-afc.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20210130044726/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/ulsan-hyundai-s-yoon-bit-garam-named-2020-afc-champions-league-mvp
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1974281/sport
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/urawa%E2%80%99s_sakai_crowned_most_valuable_player_.html
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/al_ains_rahimi_wins_mvp_top_scorer_awards.html
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/news/al-ahli%E2%80%99s-roberto-firmino-named-mvp-1
"Asian Club Competitions 2004"
https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/ascup04.html
the-afc.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20210417225419/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/al-nassr-s-abderrazak-hamdallah-wins-2020-afc-champions-league-top-scorer-award
The East African
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/sports/kenya-michael-olunga-wins-afc-champions-league-golden-boot-3629418
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/acl_2022_final_-_top_scorer_1.html
the-afc.com
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/news/al-hilals-al-dawsari-wins-top-goalscorer-honour