According to reports, Roberto Firmino, the Brazilian captain of Al-Ahli, won the Best Player award in the AFC Champions League Elite. He played a crucial role in leading his team to their first-ever title in the competition.

Firmino, who was transferred to the foreign players’ list for international competitions, particularly the AFC Champions League, delivered outstanding technical performances and scored decisive goals that earned Al-Ahli valuable points in the group stage.

Firmino then led the team to the final, where he played a key role in setting up the second goal, scored by Franck Kessié.

With the final match concluded and the championship secured, this may have been Firmino’s last appearance for Al-Ahli. However, his chances of staying for the new season have increased, and even the possibility of reinstating him to the foreign players’ list for domestic competitions has become a serious consideration. His brilliant continental performances and undefeated leadership of Al-Ahli may convince German coach Matthias Jaissle to retain him.

Additionally, Edouard Mendy, Al-Ahli’s Senegalese goalkeeper, was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. Mendy, once recognized as the world’s best goalkeeper, made a stellar debut in this continental competition, silencing critics from his first season with Al-Ahli. In his second season, he returned stronger and more experienced, becoming a cornerstone of Al-Ahli’s historic success.

In the final against Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Al-Ahli, Mendy kept a clean sheet and solidified his reputation as a reliable last line of defense.