GOLDEN BOOT RACE HEATS UP
The AFC Champions League Elite is reaching its exciting final stages this month, with Saudi Arabia hosting the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. Among the eight teams vying for continental glory are three Saudi giants—Al Ahli, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr—all hoping to secure the prestigious title.
However, there’s also a secondary prize up for grabs for the tournament’s top scorer: the Golden Boot. Several star players are currently battling for this coveted individual accolade, including Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Hilal’s Salem al-Dawsari, and Al Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez. Let’s take a closer look at the contenders chasing this season’s Golden Boot in the ACL Elite.
Jasir Asani of Gwangju, a debutant team in the competition, currently leads the race with nine goals. The Albanian winger has been a revelation this season, notably scoring a hat-trick against Yokohama F. Marinos in the opening game and playing a pivotal role in his team’s last-16 win over Vissel Kobe. Asani’s ability to thrive against Japanese opposition has been a standout feature, making him one of the most surprising names at the top of the scoring charts.
Just behind Asani are two seasoned stars—Salem al-Dawsari of Al Hilal and Riyad Mahrez of Al Ahli—who have both netted eight goals. Al-Dawsari’s finest moment came in Al Hilal’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Al Ain, where he scored a 30-minute hat-trick. The Saudi captain has been a key figure for his team, and should Al Hilal progress further, he could climb even higher on the list of all-time goal scorers in the AFC Champions League.
Meanwhile, Mahrez has taken to the ACL Elite like a seasoned pro, scoring in each of his last four games. His performances have been crucial to Al Ahli’s unbeaten run in the competition, with the Algerian star also contributing seven assists. His consistency and experience make him a strong contender to claim the Golden Boot, as he looks to replicate his previous success in European competitions.
Anderson Lopes of Yokohama F. Marinos has also been a key player in the Golden Boot race, scoring eight goals in his last eight matches. Lopes was instrumental in helping his team reach last year’s final and has continued his excellent form this season, including a crucial goal in the last-16 win over Shanghai Port.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers of all time, has scored seven goals in the 2024-25 ACL Elite campaign. Although he has only featured in six of Al Nassr’s 10 matches, Ronaldo’s clinical finishing has ensured he remains a constant threat in the race for the Golden Boot. With his experience in high-stakes knockout matches, Ronaldo is a player to watch as Al Nassr faces Yokohama F. Marinos in the quarter-finals.
Other notable contenders include Akram Afif of Al Sadd, Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al Hilal, and Ivan Toney of Al Ahli. Afif has delivered outstanding performances, while Mitrovic, recovering from injury, has started to regain his scoring touch. Toney, though a bit behind, has netted five goals in his last six continental matches and could still make a late surge.
As the quarter-finals approach, the race for the Golden Boot is set to intensify, with several prolific scorers eyeing the prestigious individual prize while also chasing continental glory for their clubs.