Franck Kessié has been officially named the Best Asian Player of the AFC Champions League Elite campaign, capping a season of remarkable individual performance as Al-Ahli claimed the AFC Champions League title for the second consecutive year.
The Côte d’Ivoire international was the heartbeat of a Saudi side that once again proved themselves the benchmark of Asian club football, and his personal honour stands as fitting recognition for a campaign of quality and pivotal contributions.
Al-Ahli’s retention of the AFC Champions League Elite trophy affirms the club’s status as the dominant force in the region. Last season’s win felt like a breakthrough, but the 2025/26 title confirms their dominance, back-to-back victories that place the Jeddah side among Asian’s elite.
In Kessié, they had the key man behind their rise, a midfielder who controlled the game and was absolutely vital.
Across all four competitions in which Al-Ahli participated, the 29-year-old made 37 appearances, accumulating 3,303 minutes on the pitch and contributing ten goals alongside three assists.
Within the Champions League Elite specifically, he featured in ten of Al-Ahli’s 13 matches starting 9, registering 3 goals and 1 assist from 870 minutes of action. For a player whose reputation was built on defensive solidity and midfield dominance during his years at AC Milan and FC Barcelona, his attacking returns this term reflect an evolution, a midfielder reborn with an added dimension to his already formidable game.
Quarter-Final Intervention
When Al-Ahli went 1–0 down to Johor Darul Ta’zim in the quarter-final, Kessié scored the equaliser to bring them back into the game. His goal calmed the team and kept their campaign on track. Moments like this show what makes great players, stepping up when it matters most.
The true test of Kessié’s season came in the final, in the toughest moment. With Al-Ahli down to ten men and the game hanging in the balance, he stepped up. The Ivorian stayed calm, controlled the midfield, and delivered a smart pass that set up Feras Albrikan for the winning goal, sealing the AFC elite champions league back-to-back title.
Franck Kessié — 2025/26 Season at a Glance
All Competitions
37 Appearances
3,303 minutes played
10 Goals Scored
Assists 3
Assists Including the title-winning final
Champions League
10 Matches
3 Goals · 1 Assist
870 minutes played