Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy etched their names into football folklore on Saturday after lifting the 2025 Asian Champions League trophy with Al Ahli, joining an exclusive group of players to have won major titles across three different continents.
Mahrez, the Algerian winger known for his dazzling footwork and decisive playmaking, was quick to celebrate the milestone on social media following Al Ahli’s 2-0 win over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
“First player in history to win three major trophies on three continents,” he declared, referencing his triumphs in Africa (AFCON 2019), Europe (UEFA Champions League 2023), and now Asia.
But while Mahrez’s claim captured attention, another African star from the same Al Ahli squad has just as strong a case: Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
GOOD MORN🏆NG 💚 pic.twitter.com/r8qoEBDzMX
— Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) May 4, 2025
Mendy, who was instrumental in Senegal’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations victory and played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s Champions League win the same year, was also between the posts for Al Ahli during their successful Asian campaign.
His saves throughout the tournament—including key moments in the knockout stages—were critical in securing the title.
The Senegalese Football Federation responded swiftly to Mahrez’s claim, issuing its own celebratory statement that subtly corrected the record.
“Congratulations to Edouard Mendy, winner of the 2025 Asian Champions League with his club, Al Ahli FC! The Senegalese international makes history by winning a major trophy on three different continents,” the federation posted on its official platforms.
The statement, while congratulatory, also served as a gentle rebuttal to Mahrez’s claim of sole ownership of the record.
While Mahrez contributed nine goals and eight assists during the tournament—undoubtedly playing a leading role in Al Ahli’s title run—Mendy’s consistent performances in goal were equally vital.
The unprecedented achievement has sparked a debate among fans and pundits alike over who truly holds the record, or whether it’s a shared honour.
Félicitations à @edou_mendy_, vainqueur de la Ligue des Champions asiatique 2025 avec son club, @ALAHLI_FC ! L’international sénégalais 🇸🇳 entre dans l’histoire en remportant un trophée majeur sur trois continents differents🔝🤩 pic.twitter.com/CkFl5DDmdd
— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) May 3, 2025
Regardless, the dual feat highlights the influence of African talent on the global stage, particularly in club football’s evolving geography.
Both players now stand as icons of continental success, their journeys from European giants to Asian champions reflecting the ever-expanding scope of elite football.
As the dust settles on Al Ahli’s triumph, one thing is clear: Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy have redefined what it means to be a global champion.
