'We are best in Asia so we have to say it' - Mahrez on Al Ahli's Asian success | OneFootball

Riyad Mahrez is a player that has won it all in his career, from Premier League titles with Leicester City and Manchester City, the UEFA Champions League with the latter, and the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria.

The decorated 34-year-old has tasted success wherever he has gone, and now he can add another entry on his glittering resume: AFC Champions League Elite winner.

In doing so, Mahrez joins a very small band – including only his Al Ahli teammates Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino - to have lifted the premier continental titles in both Europe and Asia.

While some would say the most coveted crown in Asia might not come with the same international accolades as the UEFA Champions League, for Mahrez they all carry equal weight.

“It’s different,” he told reporters after Al Ahli defeated Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday night in Jeddah to become the third Roshn Saudi League club to be crowned continental champions.

“Obviously there are the titles with Leicester, with Algeria, with City. All have different taste; all have a different emotion. I cannot compare or say I prefer one or the other.

“This one is as good as all the titles I have. It’s a different competition, different continent, so for me it was new. And last year, when I came and didn’t win anything, I was really upset.

“So this year I really wanted to make a stand and win something with this club, because this club deserves it.”

The Al Ahli celebrations went long into the Jeddah night on Saturday and into early Sunday, after Mahrez’s side had prevailed at Alinma Stadium to do what two of their predecessors could not. Beaten finalists in 1986 and 2012, Al Ahli had ascended the peak at the third attempt.

As the celebrations moved from the pitch to the dressing room, Mahrez explained the emotions behind the victory.

“That’s why we play football, for these types of games, for these types of competitions, for these types of emotions,” he said.

“Thanks to God, [it’s the] first time for Al Ahli to win the Champions League. That was the aim; when we came here, we wanted to make Al Ahli and Saudi on top of Asia and that’s what we did.”

They did so in style, too, going through the competition undefeated, a feat that spanned 13 matches and included dispatching record four-time Asian champions, and current RSL title-holders, Al Hilal in the semi-final.

Indeed, Jaissle’s men won 12 of their matches, the single aberration the 2-2 draw in the group stage against Iran’s Esteghlal.

It’s a statistic, Mahrez emphasised, that underlines Al Ahli as deserving champions.

“We played so good through all the competition," he said. "Today we knew it was a tricky game, and we were so strong and so focused - and that’s how you win you trophies.

“The group stage was not easy, but we managed it well. And after the semi-final, we showed to everyone that we are the best team, even against Al Hilal, because Al Hilal have a very good team.

“But we showed to everyone that we can beat anyone, and we deserve it. I am the first one when a team deserves something to lift my hand and say congrats to them, and today it’s our turn. We are so happy, and we have to enjoy it.

Undoubtably, Mahrez was instrumental to that run of form, with nine goals and eight assists across the group stage and knockout finals, making him one of the most impactful players on the continent. In fact, he led the tournament for goal contributions.

For Mahrez though, team success comes before personal accolades and while he was just pipped to the Golden Boot award by Al Hilal’s Salem Al Dawsari – Mahrez did, though, top the campaign for assists – he has a title that is worth far, far more.

“We are the best team in Asia, so we have to say it,” he claimed proudly. “When we win, we have to say it. So we are happy, best team in Asia. We deserve it.

“Through all the competition we played so well, we didn’t lose one game. We played against all the teams - we played against big teams, small teams, tricky teams, away and home.

“We always win, and we always played well. And to have the opportunity to win the Champions League at home with all our fans is the best feeling for us.”