Liga dos Campeões da AFC Elite

The AFC Champions League Elite represents the pinnacle of Asian club football, a prestigious tournament rebranded and restructured in 2024 to elevate the competition's stature and commercial appeal. This elite competition is the successor to the long-standing AFC Champions League, which itself evolved from the Asian Club Championship founded in 1967. The rebranding signifies a new era, aiming to mirror the intensity and global interest of its European counterpart, the UEFA Champions League. The competition's format has been streamlined for greater excitement. It now features a central league phase where 24 top clubs from across Asia's strongest leagues compete in a single league table, playing eight matches each against different opponents. The top eight teams advance directly to the knockout stages, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter a playoff round for the remaining eight spots in the Round of 16. This is followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, with the latter stages often held at neutral venues to create a festival atmosphere. Participating clubs are the champions and top finishers from the AFC's member associations, with slots allocated based on league strength. Powerhouses from Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates consistently dominate. Notable clubs include Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, a record four-time champion, Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, South Korea's Pohang Steelers, and Iran's Persepolis. The tournament has been graced by world-class talent, with players like Yasser Al-Qahtani, Lee Dong-gook, and more recently, global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar (with Al Nassr and Al Hilal, respectively) participating in its modern era. The current landscape is fiercely competitive, with the Saudi Pro League's financial investment creating a new axis of power alongside traditional East Asian contenders. The rivalry between West and East Asian clubs adds a compelling geographical dimension to the knockout rounds. An interesting fact is that the trophy, a magnificent silver and gold design, is one of the most coveted in Asian sport, and the tournament winner earns a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, facing the best from other continents. The AFC Champions League Elite is not just a tournament; it is the definitive stage for crowning the kings of Asian club football.